01 November 2012
Australia funds new buildings for Vanimo Hospital
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.
“More women will be attracted in to the health workforce and clinical services will be upgraded as a result of this improvement to the hospital. There will also be fewer women dying in child birth,” said the Head of AusAID in PNG, Stuart Schaefer.
“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,” Mr Schaefer said.
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.
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.
“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 Deputy Secretary for Health, Dr Paison Dakulala.
“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.”
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.