13 May 2014
Master planning for the ANGAU Memorial Hospital redevelopment commences
Australia and Papua New Guinea today moved another step towards the redevelopment of the ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae, confirming the selection of a specialist architectural and health planning consortia to prepare a Health Services and Facilities Master Plan for the project.
The selection of the successful consortia - Hassell Limited in conjunction with PNG based Frameworks Limited - occurred following the completion of an open and transparent international tender process.
The two nations have agreed to co-fund the redevelopment of the hospital through the Australia-PNG Joint Understanding on Further Bilateral Cooperation on Health, Education, and Law and Order, signed in July 2013. The redevelopment of the ANGAU Memorial Hospital will also be the largest health infrastructure project since PNG’s independence.
Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Deborah Stokes, said Australia is committed to working with PNG to advance the priorities agreed in the Joint Understanding.
“The master planning process will equip both Governments with the information we need to redevelop the hospital facilities. This will be done in a manner which is affordable and adapted to PNG’s health needs. We are keen to ensure that the new hospital can be properly staffed and be easy to maintain,” Ms Stokes said.
Mr Pascoe Kase, Secretary, National Department of Health, said: “We are very happy with the level of collaboration and cooperation that has underpinned progress with this most important health initiative for PNG. This critical planning process will ensure the continuation of health services for the people of Morobe province. It is of the utmost important that health facilities design standards will guide the redevelopment of the hospital from master planning, to design, and to final construction.”
The master planning process will include consultations with all hospital stakeholders, an assessment of existing clinical and non-clinical services and facilities, and an analysis of needs and gaps in services and facilities. It will recommend a comprehensive site plan for the redevelopment and a phased demolition and construction program. Construction will be staged in order to maintain full operation of current hospital services.
The planning and selection of health services by both governments and then the facilities and design planning will take approximately two years. The tender for the major works is expected to occur from 2016-17.
The Joint Understanding commitments by Australia and PNG also include the deployment of 50 Australian Federal Police advisors; scoping and design of the Madang-Ramu Highway and the lower courts in Port Moresby; and support for the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure at the University of PNG.