A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Gasmata, in the Kandrian-Gloucester District on Friday 12 June, to officially mark the beginning of the construction of a new health centre.
The ceremony was attended by the Governor of West New Britain, the Hon. Sasindra Muthuvel, and Secretary for Health, Mr. Pascoe Kase.
Australia is proud to support the Gasmata Health Centre project, which will be delivered through the Health Services Sector Development Project (HSSDP), in partnership with the Government of PNG and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The construction of the Gasmata Health Centre has been made possible by the generous contribution from the Minderoo Foundation of Australia and Governor Muthuvel.
The West New Britain Provincial Health Authority has partnered with the Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS) who will manage the new facility when completed and deliver health services to Gasmata and nearby communities.
This is the first time Australia, PNG and the ADB have partnered with a philanthropic to deliver health infrastructure in rural and remote communities.
This project will be built by a construction company from West New Britain, supporting local jobs and businesses during construction, creating opportunities for workers and suppliers in the province.
Construction of the new health centre is expected to be completed by December 2027.
When completed, this new health centre will provide in-patient and out-patient services, maternal and child health services, emergency services, amenities for guardians, waiting house for expectant mothers, and other support facilities such as staff houses, an incinerator and a generator shed.
Gasmata Health Centre will be the seventh health facility in West New Britain supported by the Australian Government since 2018.
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Partners in a ribbon cutting ceremony, Gasmata West New Britain.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100