Speech by AusAID Minister Counsellor at the Mt Hagen General Hospital opening
24 October 2007; Mt Hagen, PNG
Gut-pela morning tru na tok tenkyu bilong mi long yupela wanpela taim gen long mi sanap hia long givim dispela liklik toktok tete. Mi hamamas long kam bek gen long gutpela taun bilong yumi – Mt Hagen – long dispela bikpela opening day bilong bikpela haus bilong yumi – Mt Hagen Haus-sik.
(Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to address you on this auspicious day. I am happy to be back in our beautiful city – Mt Hagen for this official opening of the General Hospital facilities.)
I would find it hard to think of a more important occasion than to officially open facilities of this nature and there are two key reasons for this.
Firstly, there are the obvious health benefits which this project will bring to the people of the Highlands.
And secondly, because we are again, through the Australia-PNG Incentive Fund, recognising and rewarding local initiative – initiative which is the result of strong vision backed up with good planning and management.
I believe projects like this cut to the heart of aid work. That is doing something with an obvious and tangible outcome for many. And in this case that is improving health care services for the people of this region.
Can I begin by extending my congratulations to the Mt Hagen General Hospital Staff and Board for your excellent efforts in planning for, and managing, this project through to completion.
Your hard work has resulted in a range of new and upgraded facilities that will see the Mt Hagen Hospital be able to perform at a level way beyond its previous capacity.
But what’s just as important as these impressive facilities are the other benefits which will flow from these fantastic facilities.
First and foremost a decreased waiting time for surgery will mean that patients are treated and discharged home more quickly.
I have been told there are many cases where people have been asked to stay at home until hospital space was available. Many of these cases can now be dealt with far sooner thus reducing the risk of other complications resulting from extended waiting periods.
Earlier treatment also reduces the cost burden on families and ensures that the person is able to get back to contributing to the economic, social and spiritual well being of their families and communities far sooner.
In some cases people might have had to travel to Port Moresby for a procedure or wait for periods of up to three or four months. Many of these procedures can now be done at Mt Hagen and done much sooner.
And on top of this how do you measure the increased morale and motivation of staff as a result of new facilities?
And while it is not an area we want to hear too much about, the improved morgue facilities mean bodies are able to be kept on the premises for longer, providing families with more time to make funeral arrangements. The coroner and criminal cases are also assisted with these enhanced facilities.
The flow-on effects from these types of programs are immeasurable.
The Government and people of Australia through the Aid Program’s Incentive Fund, are proud to have been able to support and be associated with this tremendous initiative.
And it is certainly not the first time this province has utilised the benefits of this fund. The Notre Dame Secondary School, the current redevelopment of Kudjip Hospital and, of course, the redevelopment of the Mt Hagen markets are other examples where the Australian Government has worked closely with this province to improve the lives of its people.
And improving people’s lives through health care is probably one of the most important avenues for development. Improved health outcomes have a wide impact on development at all levels. Healthy children can study better at school and attend school more often, populations are stronger and get sick less often, and people are more productive in the work place.
Ultimately, strengthening health facilities, systems, and health outcomes, leads to stronger economic growth.
However it’s important to remember that while Australia is pleased to be able to support this type of activity, the provision of basic services such as health, education, infrastructure and security, is ultimately the core function of government.
What you have done here at both the local and national level is truly commendable. You have delivered on your vision and the results speak for themselves.
But if the people of the region are to truly reap the rewards from this redevelopment then you need to ensure that the second and more challenging part of this work is delivered upon.
And this second part is a two-fold proposition. Firstly, there must be a commitment to appropriately resource these facilities to ensure they reach their full potential. If I can use a simple analogy – it’s no use buying a new truck if there’s no one to drive it.
And secondly there must also be a commitment to ensure that these facilities receive the required level of support. They must be appropriately resourced and maintained so that the people of the Highlands can benefit not just next week and next year but for decades to come.
This is my challenge to the Minister and the hospital board – fulfil these two commitments. I have every confidence that you will achieve that goal.
Good luck and thank you for your time this morning.
Ms Margaret Thomas: Head of AusAID in Papua New Guinea