A new hospital will be constructed in Arawa, and it will be a level five facility.
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Elias Kapavore, said a resolution was reached between the National Executive Council on the construction of the new hospital in the region of Bougainville, and Arawa was chosen to have the facility set up.
“After speaking to the health representative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, it was agreed that the new hospital be constructed in Arawa, from a level 4 to a level 5 (facility). On Tuesday this week the Health Secretary discussed this and information of this will be provided in detail to the NEC soon, to fast track the project,” Kapavore said in Parliament on October 16th.
He stated the department is also supporting upgrades of other health facilities in the region, including that in Buin, to a level 4 facility.
The Regional member for the autonomous region, who raised the question, also asked for more support to the Arawa Nursing College, which he says is 70 percent complete, in terms of infrastructure.
Joe Lera said: “Can the department (of health) consider some more funding for dormitories and staff housing?”
Lera hoped that this facility, and the general restoration of health services, be implemented as not much has been done in this sector after the Bougainville crisis ended.
(Arawa hospital file picture)