The Central Province has a population of more than 500,000 people. The province has five district health centres. Manpower, however is scarce, with only 138 health workers consisting of 3 doctors, 20 health extension officers, and 30 nurses.
At the official launch of the hospital project in Bautama today, Central Province Governor, Robert Agarobe expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and key state departments who facilitated the push for the Central Provincial Hospital project.
Governor Agarobe said for years, Central people have been referred to the Port Moresby General Hospital, leaving their homes to camp outside the hospital to support their sick. He said it is imperative that the Central hospital is built to ensure that his people are not turned away when seeking medical assistance.
“This project has been on the drawing board for a very long time. And has taken so long due to various reason. However, this is all in the past and we are here to celebrate this momentous occasion.”
Prime Minister James Marape said his government aims to provide better health services and establish world class facilities across the country and thus 11.2% of the 2022 national budget will be allocated to health.
“We want to secure our people’s livelihood and health.
“One good thing COVID-19 has made happen in our country is to inform us that our heath sector and health system in our country is totally deficient to withstand whether it’s pandemic or any outbreak for that matter as far as health issues (are) concerned. COVID-19 has pointed to us this fact – that we do not have the health system and the health capacity to handle severe outbreaks or any diseases for our country,” he said.
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong thanked Governor Agarobe for pushing the government to ensure that the hospital project was launched in this term of government.
“We are now ensuring that our people of Central will become on par with everyone else in every other province.
“This is one of the third that we give back to the people, what they really really need,” said Minister Wong.
The new hospital, when completed, will house 390 beds, and cover major disciplines of internal medicine, surgery, pediatric, women’s obstetrics and gynecology.