PNG-Aust to co-fund upgrade of hospital

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday January 30th, 2014

 AUSTRALIA and Papua New Guinea moved another step towards redeveloping Lae’s Angau Memorial Hospital yesterday, issuing a request for expressions of interest to prepare a health services and facilities master plan for the project.

The two nations have agreed to co-fund the reconstruction of the hospital through the Australia-PNG joint understanding on further bilateral cooperation on health, education and law and order signed in July last year.

The hospital redevelopment will be the largest health infrastructure project since PNG’s independence. Australia is investing up to A$207 million (K431 million) in the redevelopment including the master plan and 50% of the capital cost of works.

Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG Deborah Stokes said Australia was committed to working with PNG to advance the priorities agreed in the joint understanding.

“The masterplanning process will equip both governments with the information we need to redevelop the hospital facilities.  This redevelopment will be done in a manner which is adapted to the PNG population’s health needs, can be staffed, is affordable and is able to be maintained,” Stokes said.

 Ambrose Kwaramb, manager health facilities standards  Department of Health, said: “The health service and health facilities design standards will guide the redevelopment of the hospital from master planning, to design and to the construction stage.”

The masterplanning process will include consultations with all stakeholders, an assessment of clinical and non-clinical services and facilities and an analysis of needs and gaps in services and facilities.