Angau

Worth AUD$124,000, the equipment was received by Morobe Provincial Health Authority CEO, Dr Kipas Binga, and MoPHA director Curative Health Services, Dr Steven James.

A small ceremony was hosted today within the new paediatric ward of the ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital, where the drill set, worth over K300,000, was presented.

Dr James said the top-of-the-range equipment will be handed over to the orthopaedic department; the unit that deals with the correction of deformities of bones or muscles.

The Morobe Provincial Health Authority is working in consultation with the Lae City Authority to conduct a mass burial for bodies that have been in the ANGAU mortuary for over a month.

CEO of the health authority, Dr Kipas Binga, said the bodies of 90 adults and 29 children are yet to be claimed.

“We will advise when the appropriate date is but we are trying to clear our part,” stated Dr Binga.

The new ward will provide 26 beds to treat tuberculosis cases in a modern facility, leading to improved patient outcomes.

“ANGAU is creating the benchmark for large-scale, joint health infrastructure projects in Papua New Guinea,” said High Commissioner Philp.

“A healthy population is a productive population, and this will drive economic development and help build this great nation.”

He was there to view the progress and reiterate the Papua New Guinea Government’s commitment to the project.

“I am pleased to see the progress of this impressive and significant infrastructure project, which promises to provide high quality health care for communities throughout the Momase Region,” said Minister Wong.

“Once completed, ANGAU will be the major regional referral hospital and a significant national asset for Papua New Guinea for decades to come.”

In a statement, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said more than K6 billion is invested each year to improve healthcare.

“While we still have a lot of work to do, universal healthcare is becoming a reality around Papua New Guinea,” stated the PM.

“The amount of money a person has in their pocket should not determine if they can see a doctor or receive healthcare.

“Over the past five years, working with our partners, including churches, we have expanded medical services to remote areas and rebuilt hospitals.