Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Zed Seselja and Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS the Hon Jelta Wong officially opened three new facilities at ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital today.
The new birthing ward, children’s outpatient department and pathology unit are part of the Australian funded redevelopment works currently underway at ANGAU.
The ANGAU hospital redevelopment is Australia’s largest single infrastructure project in Papua New Guinea since Independence, valued at over $200 million Australian dollars, or K500 million.
ANGAU is a tertiary referral hospital for PNG’s north coast and highlands provinces, and its redevelopment will provide improved health services for millions of Papua New Guineans.
ANGAU hospital clinical and non-clinical staff have benefitted from comprehensive training programs, delivered by PNG and Australian clinical experts and local training institutions. A clinical team from Australia will be at ANGAU to assist over the next three months.
During his visit, Minister Seselja highlighted the importance of having good health infrastructure and skilled staff to provide the best health care to patients.
“Infrastructure is an important priority for the Government of PNG, and a mutual commitment under the agreement that Prime Ministers Morrison and Marape made last year, the PNG-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership.
“We all know that buildings alone don’t guarantee better service delivery or improved health outcomes.
“Here at ANGAU, Australia is supporting a comprehensive approach including infrastructure, commissioning, clinical upskilling, facilities management and executive support programs to ensure these world-class facilities deliver improved health outcomes for Papua New Guineans.”
“The transition to the new birthing ward is a good example of this comprehensive approach,” Minister Seselja said.
The birthing facility provides opportunities for new models of care, with individual birthing suites enabling mothers to have a support person with them during the delivery, as well as dedicated areas for assessment, consultations and specialised care.
The Minister also officially announced the construction of an additional in-patient unit that will accommodate patients with infectious diseases.
This in-patient unit is currently under construction and is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.
“The ANGAU hospital redevelopment is truly a collaborative effort that we can all be proud of, and a powerful demonstration of the Papua New Guinea – Australia partnership,” Minister Seselja concluded.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100