Work to start on district hospital

By JAMES G KILA
A LIFE-changing development has recently commenced at Daigul in the Almami LLG of Bogia district in Madang.
This new project which is a level-four district hospital funded by the Asian Development Bank at a cost of K45 million. When it is completed it would definitely be the pride and joy of the people of Yawar, Iabu and the Almami LLGs.
First-time member of Parliament representing Bogia district, Robert Naguri was a very proud man as he stood on the track of an excavator machine on Dec 4, 2021 and watched the bucket go down to dig up the soil signifying the commencement of a new district hospital.
MP Naguri said of the ground breaking ceremony as being the single most important occasion for Bogia District in a long time because it signified the start of a multi-million- kina project that would not only benefit the people of Bogia, but the entire Madang Province, as well as neighbouring East Sepik and the entire country.
With a Tolai basket held at his side he was hyped up with pride and joy.
This new Bogia district hospital at Daigul (also known by its German name Hatzeldhaven) will be built at a cost of K45 million with funding assistance from the Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB). This modern hospital is ideally situated on a plain where road network from Bogia, Sumkar and even Angoram in East Sepik province could conveniently accessed.
Phase One of work on the new facility began on Dec 9, 2021.
The new facility would be a level four district hospital, according to health authorities and would have an outpatient department, an emergency block, pathology, radiology, operating theatre, dental clinic, biomedical workshop, family support centre, administration blocks, maternal and child health department and a waiting house.
Naguri told the visitors to the occasion that to secure such a big project was not easy.
On behalf of his people, MP Naguri thanked the financier ADB, the National Government and all those who had been instrumental in getting the work off the ground.
He also appealed to the Madang Provincial Health Authority (PHA)to start working on a staff structure in preparation for the new hospital.
He said that many a times when facilitieses were completed there were no personell allocated to work in them, therefore, Madang PHA must make sure specialists are made available.
Chief executive officer of the Madang PHA, Fidelis Waipma gave an assurance that a submission was being drafted to accommodate the human resource gaps to cater for the new facility in Bogia.
Waipma further stated that the Madang PHA would provide technical assistance for the facility upon its completion.
Another district to have benefitted from a similar funding package from ADB is Pomio in East New Britain.
Waipma told the gathering that when the work is completed on the new hospital specialist departments would be set up within its confines.
According to Naguri, when he took over as MP four years ago, Bogia district was in disarray. Law and order problems were rampant and the people lived in fear and anxiety since services were not accessible. However, that had gradually changed for the better.
“In the last four years Bogia has had more high profile people visit the district compared to the last 30 years,” Naguri said,
He appealed to the traditional landowners of the Daigul land in Almami LLG where the district hospital is being built to set aside whatever differences they may have and cooperate to see the work progress smoothly on the new district hospital until its completion.
“I appeal to my people from Dugumor, Sabero, Vidarlimuda, Wanuru, Aidibal, Tobenam, Siria and Pogegaga for a 101 per cent cooperation to see this project come to fruition.
“You are very privileged to see such a project in your lifetime,” Naguri said.

• James Kila is a freelance writer.