Project to be completed next year

By GLORIA BAUAI
THE Angau Memorial Hospital redevelopment initially delayed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is expected to conclude next year, an official says.
Project director Dave Lavers said more than five buildings including a new pathology laboratory and the back of house facility had already been handed over to Angau and the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA).
He said the buildings were being handed over as they were being completed.
He said other buildings that were under construction included the the mortuary, waste facility and the tuberculosis clinic.
Lavers said the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted construction around the world with supply chains for materials such as timber and steel affected due to shortages and restrictions.
Lavers said the main buildings which would house the operating theatre and related diagnostic equipment would be finished in the second half of 2022.
He added that by the end of next year the hospital would be fully operational.
Angau’s approximately K449 million redevelopment which began in 2018 has been fully funded under the Australia-PNG Partnership.
Laver said the redeveloped hospital would be able to provide an improved level of health care to the people of Morobe.
He said the improvements were in revamped facilities, equipment and more trained staff that would be able to cater for the increasing number of patients.
He said good management would ensure the health infrastructure, staff and equipment, were adequately supported and maintained in order for high quality healthcare to be sustained.