Australia supporting healthy Western Province future with new staff facilities for Daru General Hospital
Monday 30 October 2023
Australia reinforced its long-term commitment to Western Province as representatives broke ground for a new staff accommodation precinct at Daru General Hospital on Monday 30 October.
Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp, joined Governor of Western Province the Hon Taboi Abi Yoto, National Department of Health Deputy Secretary Mr Ken Wai, along with local MPs and health officials to mark the start of the project, which will be delivered in partnership with Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) and the National Department of Health.
Australia has a long-standing and proud connection with the people and communities of Western Province, the largest and most remote Province in Papua New Guinea yet only four kilometres from Australia at its nearest point.
The construction of the new accommodation precinct is part of a broader commitment to improve health outcomes for around 300,000 people across the province. Through this high-quality new staff accommodation, Australia is supporting the WPHA to attract and retain experienced health professionals to Daru.
“Australia is committed to improving health outcomes in Western Province. We are delivering sustainable infrastructure and supporting a strong health workforce in partnership with local leaders and the local community,” said the High Commissioner at the event.
“Health services and hospitals need skilled, professional staff, and those people need high-quality facilities for their own wellbeing and livelihood. This project will support growth of the vital health workforce in Western Province”, he continued.
The accommodation will be built in a phased approach to limit disruption to local services and employees. Importantly, the current staff housing adjacent to the hospital will remain until the new facilities are completed, expected to be in mid-2025.
The new buildings will provide accommodation in architecturally designed, energy efficient duplex houses along with short-stay accommodation for visiting staff and students. Safety for all residents continues to be a priority, with secure perimeter and internal fencing. Australia continues to support high quality, environmentally friendly and climate resilient infrastructure. The project’s sustainability features include solar street lighting, improved drainage and rainwater catchment, and new sanitation and sewerage treatment plant.
The first stage, including site preparation and ground works, is expected to be completed in the first half of 024. There will be a focus on local workforce participation throughout the entire staff accommodation project, including access to formal trade qualifications for local construction workers to build local technical skills and capabilities.
Australia has a long-standing commitment to safe and healthy communities, improved health service delivery and a skilled and engaged local workforce in Papua New Guinea, delivered through high-quality infrastructure projects and effective partnerships.