New health infrastructure to boost healthcare in Vanimo

AUSTRALIA today opened new health infrastructure at Vanimo Hospital which will improve the level of healthcare in Sandaun Province.

Australia provided a K7.8m grant through the Incentive Fund for the construction of a two-storey administration building, a 36-room building for female accommodation, 12 two-bedroom units and a social support service building for the Vanimo General Hospital.

Deputy Secretary for Health Dr Paison Dakulala praised the PNG Australia partnership which has resulted in the new infrastructure.

“On behalf of the government of PNG I thank the government of Australia for its continued partnership in PNG’s development. This critical partnership can be seen in and is reflected through the PNG Incentive Fund Program, which stands out as one of the most effective donor funded programs in PNG.”

“The Incentive Fund is the result of the partnership between the governments of PNG and Australia to make the aid program more effective and earlier phases of the program have successfully funded bridges, roads, town markets, school and health infrastructure,” said Dr Dakulala.

Head of AusAID in PNG, Stuart Schaefer said; “More women will be attracted to the health workforce while clinical services will be upgraded as a result of this improvement to the hospital. There will also be fewer women dying in child birth.”

“AusAID is helping the Government of PNG improve health service delivery on a number of levels. We are helping PNG attract and retain skilled staff to the health sector, training health staff in institutions both in Australia and PNG, funding health infrastructure, and supporting the government to reform how the health system is run,” said Mr Schaefer.

The administration building will house dental and x-ray services and conference facilities on the ground floor, with the senior management team, human resources, accounts, and information technology on the top floor.

To strengthen the administration and management of the hospital, a local area network (LAN) is set up along with a computerised payroll system.

“With the majority of our population living outside of major capital cities, this hospital upgrade is an important step in providing health services and attracting key medical personnel to the Provinces,” said Chief Executive Officer of Vanimo General Hospital, Mr Elias Kapavore.”

“The hospital now has 13 medical officers with major disciplines in surgery, internal medicine and maternal and child health. This is a direct result of the construction of accommodation.”

“Such substantial development assistance will directly benefit the lives of the men, women and children of Sandaun.  This ultimately will mean a quality of life for regional families,” said Mr Kapavore

The PNG-Australia Incentive Fund rewards high-performing organisations such as the Vanimo Hospital which have a proven track record in contributing to PNG’s development.

Vanimo General Hospital has previously been supported by the Australian and PNG Governments with infrastructure improvements including an upgraded maternity and children’s wing, STI clinic and the installation of an incinerator for hygienic surgical waste disposal.

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