Designs presented for new state-of-the-art hospital in Enga

Caption:  Governor Ipatas, MinisterMalabag, and Secretary Kase paying attention to the explanation of the 3D model of the hospital.

Caption:   Arial view of what the hospital would look like when completed

Caption:  Artist impression of what the hospital will like inside the premises

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 20, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

AFTER being without a stable hospital since 1975- the Enga Provincial Government in collaboration with the Department of Health were given a presentation of the designs for the new Enga Provincial Hospital by well renowned US architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch, last week at the Health Department headquarters in Port Moresby.

Those present at the presentation included the Governor of Enga Peter Ipatas, Health Minister Michael Malabag, Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, Department Executives, and architects from the design firm.

The design phase was initiated in 2009 by Governor Ipatas and his administration to take forward the vision of a modern healthcare facility to serve the province’s rural population, which will cost K322 million to build.

Designs for the hospital took four years to formulate, which included a feasibility study- with the design team working with medical and administrative staff and community leaders to develop the program and conception plan for the new hospital.  

The Project will be constructed in two phases, beginning with 150 inpatient beds, two operating rooms, and one major procedure room- with additional phases to add 150 inpatient beds and two more operating rooms.

Construction site of the hospital will take up 34 hectares of land space next to the town’s rugby field- boasting Inpatient services like obstetrics, paediatrics, and infectious diseases.

Outpatient Services will include, dental, eye, physical therapy, HIV, Family Planning, an antenatal care- there will also be a morgue Laundry, X-ray, laboratories, offices and conference facilities as well.

300 housing units will be built for hospital staff and administrators icluding emergency power generation; sewerage treatment plant.

Team Leader of the design team Andrew Gerber told those present that the design reflected the needs of the province’s rural population, providing a vision of healthcare delivery at the same time of accelerated development for Papua New Guinea.

“What makes this project different than the other projects we have had in PNG is that we have worked very closely with the Health Department, the Enga Provincial Government and the staff of the Wabag General Hospital.”

“We wanted to make this a unique hospital for Papua New Guinea applying the standards of the Health Department of Papua New Guinea using modern facilities. This is perfect public private joint partnership.”

“We are not just providing the hospital, but also the all the training that goes with it, all the support staff,” he pointed out.

Principle Architect Mario Viera, said that they had made significant progress with the entire design project at 70 per cent completed- with them currently completing the contract document.

He emphasised to those present that whatever what shown in terms of the 3D animation and other design illustration where what the people of Enga were going to get.

Governor Ipatas pointed out the hardships people in his province had to go through since independence without a proper provincial hospital and lauded the efforts of the O’Neill Government to see key sectors delivered to the people.

“On behalf of the people of Enga, I would like to thank the minister, secretary and the team here at the department- with your support we have progressed with the design.”

“Early next year the project will go out to tender with an initial K22 million put toward this- we have to spend a lot of money to give the people the best.”

“Over time the government will be spending money on the hospital and we want to see that the nation also benefits from this investment with the hospital being a national institution.”

He assured the Minister that in Enga, any infrastructure put up by the government they would take ownership for it to serve its purpose.

Minister Malabag praised the initiative of the design team to include housing, which he said was absolutely essential, adding that the government was looking to have foreign health providers to work in the country to cater for the shortage in health service providers the country is currently experiencing.

“We will start looking at the recruitment of doctors and nurses overseas from other countries from Asia.”

“You can have a beautiful hospital, but if there are no service providers it defeats its purpose- with the new national health plan put in place in 2011, it is good to see the standards put into practice with the design of this hospital.”

“What happens in Enga will be followed in the other provinces and I want to give special mention to the governor for his vision to have such a hospital built for his people.”

Secretary Kase added that the design would be reviewed by the Health Department to see if it complies with standards set by the Health Authority, but was impressed thus far.