CPG COMMITTED TO DELIVER

 

CENTRAL HOSPITAL WILL BE BUILT

PNG Prime Minister James Marape (hand raised), Central Governor Robert Agarobe and other VIPs at the ground breaking ceremony. Picture courtesy of Post-Courier.

THE Central Provincial Health Authority has verified the reason for the delay of the new Central Provincial hospital at Bautama.

CPHA CEO Dr James Amini said the commitment of land at Bautama for the project by the Agarobe Government is enough to justify that the Central Provincial Government is dedicated to deliver a world class hospital for its people.

Dr Amini said “to ensure that this project progressed, the governor approved the launching in October 2019 and its implementing arm for this project and other health service delivery issues in the province.

“The new Central provincial hospital is a priority national health infrastructure as spelled out in MTDP 2018-22.

“To progress the project, the Agarobe government set aside the 50 hectares land in Central city at Bautama.

“The Marape government heard the cries of Central province people and approved the hospital through NEC decision No. 161 on June 30 2021.

“The launching and ground breaking ceremony on November 29 last year 2021, of the New Central Provincial Hospital Project was a key advocacy tool for all stakeholders to be made aware that the province needs this impact infrastructure desperately.

Koiari singsing group from Madoate village entertaining visitors.

“It was during this occasion that Mr Agarobe demonstrated that Central Province had the land ready for the New Central Provincial Hospital to be built.

“All it needed was financing to develop the project.”

The K700 million hospital is to be built by a Chinese developer. However, the project has been stalled for the past three months due to lack of funding.

“The Prime minister James Marape on that occasion committed on delivering the project to make Central Province in par with all the provinces in having its own provincial hospital,” said Dr Amini.

 He also said “other health projects such as nursing School will also be part of this development and currently Go-PNG is supporting the initial work on the project.

“The CPHA is now awaiting the survey documents to progress into master planning, earth works, feasibility &project documentations amongst the many.

“The major financing requirement for the development of the Hospital is awaiting Go-PNG processes.

“Those conversant with these processes know that this can be a lengthy bureaucratic process that requires ongoing inter-agency interactions and coordination to complete Project Signing and then commencement of construction.

“The CPHA as a new Entity takes the provincial and national government commitment to deliver the New Provincial Hospital very seriously.

“Although it may take time due to the size of the undertaking, CPHA believes there are processes that must be followed to enable the project roll out,” concluded Dr. Amini.

l-r: Governor Agarobe, PM James Marape and Kairuku Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo at the official ground breaking on November 29 last year.