New K10m facility at Angau to serve as regional medicine hub

A new clinic will be constructed at Angau General Hospital through the Australian–Papua New Guinea Partnership Program, to enhance regional healthcare logistics.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently to mark the start of construction on the K10 million project, which will serve as a central hub for medicine storage and distribution to other centers.

Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, expressed gratitude at the ceremony, speaking of the strength of bilateral relations.

"Today marks a milestone achievement for the Australian-PNG Partnership, Sanap Wantaim Program in the health sector," Rosso said.

Rosso reflected on the long history of the facility, which has served the Momase, Highlands, and parts of the Southern and New Guinea Islands regions since its inception in 1964. He said the infrastructure must be backed by strong leadership to be effective.

“For any institution to function well, it must have a system in place, to have people who have prudent management knowledge, who can be able to deliver efficient service that is required to sustain the facility's operations," he said.

He said St. John Ambulance was a successful model of health service delivery, due to its independent management, which keeps it free from political interference. Rosso suggested the new clinic adopt a similar management ideology, while continuing to receive operational funding support from the Lae City Authority and other stakeholders.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald, congratulated Angau General Hospital on the achievement. He reaffirmed the Australian Government's commitment to a long-term partnership, extending beyond healthcare into other critical sectors.

The K10 million clinic adds to a growing list of projects funded under the Aus-PNG Partnership at Angau, which previously delivered the hospital's antenatal clinic and women’s labor ward.