The Government signed two financing agreements on Friday (yesterday) to continue its investment in two major health projects.
The first is a K41 million (AUD$18 million) grant from the Australian Government for the continuation of the Rural Primary Health Service Delivery Project.
The second is a concessional loan from the Czechoslovakia EXIM Bank for K172 million (Euro 55 million) for the upgrading of the Boram Hospital in East Sepik Province.
Acting Prime Minister, Charles Abel, said the signing represents the ongoing commitment of the Government towards the health sector.
The Australian grant for the Rural Primary Health Service Delivery Project is an extension of a K290 million (US$96 million) funding arrangement with the Asian Development Bank.
Acting Prime Minister Abel said the Australian grant will continue the implementation of the project in three new identified provinces. They include Western, Morobe and the National Capital District.
Meanwhile, the Boram Hospital will be upgraded to a major referral hospital under the Czech EXIM Bank Loan.
It is envisioned that the Hospital will service more than 700,000 people from its home province and West Sepik.
Present at the signing was Minister for Planning, Richard Maru, and Minister for Health, Sir Puka Temu.
Both Ministers stated that the signing represented their commitment to improve health services for Papua New Guineans all over the country.
(A/PM Charles Abel putting pen to paper in the presence of Planning Minister Richard Maru, left, and Health Minister Sir Puka Temu)