The Vanimo General Hospital and Raihu District Hospital in West Sepik Province are the latest recipients of an Incentive Fund grant under the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership.
The new PGK6.4 million grant, which includes PGK1 million in counterpart funding from the West Sepik Provincial Hospital, will enable Vanimo General Hospital to build a new maternity ward and upgrade electricity, water and sewerage systems, while a Family Support Centre will be built at the Raihu District Hospital in Aitape.
Vanimo Hospital completed its previous Incentive Fund project in 2013, which included a new administration building and accommodation for nurses.
The new electricity, water and sewerage upgrades will improve health and safety at the hospital, by reducing the number of surgeries cancelled due to power outages, stopping the discharge of raw effluent into Narimo Bay, and ensuring water provision for the hospital is in line with international standards.
In addition, the new maternity ward will increase supervised deliveries and improve the quality of maternal and newborn care and waiting space for pregnant women.
The Family Support Centre at Raihu Hospital in Aitape will provide improved access to and quality of services to survivors of family and sexual violence in rural areas.
“This is a very timely project,” said Dr Athanasius Kari in Aitape.
“Violence is a big part of our admissions. We can manage the physical issues but cannot address the causes. What we’re missing is how to respond in the longer term. This Family Support Centre will bridge that gap.”
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis visited Vanimo General Hospital on 8 June, accompanied by officials from the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority.
“The West Sepik Provincial Health Authority has proven its commitment to delivering excellent healthcare to the people of West Sepik and we’re proud to partner with them again to expand the reach and quality of their services. This project is a true expression of our enduring partnership and long friendship with Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Davis.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100
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Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis touring the hospital facilities accompanied by Police Minister Jelta Wong (left), West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou (at the back to the right), Immigration and Border Security Minister Petrus Thomas (also at the back to the left) and West Sepik Provincial Health Authority officials.