Expanded accommodation for medical workers

The Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, in Jiwaka Province, is now able to accommodate more doctors, nurses and their families.

This was made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Inc.

“The work that Kudjip Nazarene Hospital is undertaking is exceptional. The new housing will allow it to continue to attract and retain the highest quality of physicians and nurses,” said Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) director, Anne Dix.

“The hospital is raising the standard of care in Papua New Guinea. It is demonstrating the best of American health care practices and is allowing local professionals to improve their medical skills and will continue to all thanks to the generosity of the American people.”

Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, United States Embassy Papua New Guinea and Australian Aid commemorated the completion of the housing development on February 18th in Kudjip, Jiwaka Province.

U.S. Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray and Australian DFAT representative Catherine Sturrock were at the event.  The expansion of the housing was funded in part by a $800,000, 2013 USAID/ASHA award.

“The United States Government is pleased to be able to support the health care community of Papua New Guinea by providing funding for this much-needed housing project,” said Ambassador Ebert-Gray. “We know how important it is to be able to attract both U.S. and domestic health care professionals and what an important asset this project will be in that effort.”

Churches play a very important role in health services delivery in Papua New Guinea, especially in the rural areas. They account for almost half of all the health services delivered in the country.

She said it is important that government and churches work together with shared commitment in delivering health services. 

The Government of Papua New Guinea has endorsed the free health care policy and it identifies the following key priorities;

  • Free primary health care and subsidized specialist care
  • Health infrastructure rehabilitation
  • Health workforce development
  • Medical supply distribution & equipment
  • Provincial health rollout and implementation
  • Support health services; and
  • Improved governance.

The Ambassador said the commissioning of this infrastructure supports the implementation of these priorities and demonstrates increased partnerships to achieve sustainable health outcome for Papua New Guinea and Jiwaka Province.

Front L to R: Ms. Ore Topurua (DFAT), Ms.Lauren Chitty (ASHA USAID), US Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray, Catherine Sturrock (DFAT). Back L to R: Dr. Jorge Velasco (USAID), Mr. Miles Zinn (Nazarene Health Ministries), Dr. Scott Dooley (Kudjip Nazarene Hospital), Mr. Gary Barrett (ASHA USAID).

Author: 
Press release