MAY 30, 2023
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has emphasised his Government’s commitment to improving accessibility to health services throughout the country.
He said his Government had identified health as one of its top priorities and was working towards achieving universal health for all citizens.
PM Marape said this during the opening of the brand-new Level-4 hospital in Kupiano Station, Abau District, Central Province, on Friday, May 26, 2023.
The hospital was built by Santos through the Government’s Tax Credit Scheme (TCS) arrangement at a cost of K20.224 million towards development from feasibilility, design and engineering in 2010 to final completion. Construction work started in 2017.
The hospital has been upgraded to Level-4 District Hospital Status from Rural Health Centre and includes an outpatient and emergency department with a procedure room, a general ward consisting of mordern equipment with 16 beds, a maternity ward with a spacious delivery room, a minor procedure room, a nurses’ station and five ablution rooms.
PM Marape said to achieve the goal of improving accessibility to health services nationwide, the Government was investing in building and upgrading health facilities across the country, as well as recruiting and training more health professionals.
“We are here with your Central MPs to fully support the provincial health plan and the provincial focus. Your Governor’s priority is in order; hence, the National Government will not compromise our focus on your major provincial hospital,” he said.
“This year we have allocated K50 million to start off the Central Provincial Hospital; it is already in our budget as your priority is in order.
“We aim to work with your Central leaders in building a hospital here, in Bereina, Tapini, Woitape, among others.”
PM Marape said the Government was implementing policies aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services, such as increasing access to essential medicines and vaccines.
He said the Government was also focused on addressing underlying social and economic determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of education.
“To this end, the Government is implementing a range of programmess to improve access to clean water and sanitation, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide education on health-related issues,” PM Marape said.
“All in all, the Government’s focus on improving accessibility to healthcare services throughout Papua New Guinea is an important step towards improving the health and well-being of all citizens.”
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