THE ailing Gaulim Health Post in Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle District of East New Britain will be given a new lease of life.
Health Minister and Member for Gazelle, Jelta Wong announced recently that the plan to redesign the facility has been approved and construction work to be undertaken by contractor Hoam Builders will commence this month (August).
Minister Wong said the project is worth K4.5 million and was awarded in July, 2021 under the Health Services Sector Development Project (HSSDP) and financed under the partnership of Asian Development Bank, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and PNG Government. The contractor is now mobilizing to the site and is expected to complete the construction by June, 2022.
He said the new construction will replace the old dilapidated, termite infested health facility built by a local landowner company under its community obligation in 1980 in the United Church Campus which was providing basic health care services to local communities.
The design for Gaulim is unique and is expected to significantly boost health services for around 10, 500 people in three wards of Inland Baining LLG and five wards of Toma Vunadidir LLG.
This new 6-bed CHP is being built considering local needs and environment through community consultations, engagement of local district and provincial administration, provincial building board under the partnership of district development authority and provincial health authority; and in compliance to national health service standards with concrete flooring and masonry blocks; and expected to last over 50 years with basic maintenance.
It will have three consultation, examination and treatment rooms; a procedure room; a three-bed inpatient ward for observation / treatment; a birthing suite and a three-bed in-patient ward for anti-natal and post birthing services; and a health promotion room for counselling on family planning / nutrition / healthy behaviours together with specific rooms for administration and infection control / prevention measures.
The facility will be supported by three new three-bedroom staff houses, an incinerator building for waste management, a generator building and an ablution building; and also supports the maintenance and re-configuration of existing building for infectious disease prevention and control.
The facility once completed with the current six health workers could address all local needs for maternal and child health services including supervised births, anti-natal check-ups, short-term inpatient care of medical conditions and a range of other outpatient services; and health counselling on preventive measures for leading healthier lives with regular services on immunization, vaccinations, family planning services, and medications for TB patients through their nearest health facility; and avoid any further need not to travel to Kerevat District Hospital or Nonga General Hospital for primary health services.
The Gazelle DDA Board under the leadership of Minister Wong has committed to supplement the construction with strong community engagement and participation together with investment for reticulated water supply for sustaining the operation of health facility.
He commended the locals for standing together with the government through the National Health Department, ENB Provincial Health Authority, Gazelle District Development Authority Board and the United Church in the development of this facility.
“I am appealing to people in the community to support this project as it will improve health care and public health extension services being brought closer to your doorsteps,” the Gazelle MP said.
Minister Wong said Gaulim facility can then be used as a stepping stone to develop other health centres in the Gazelle electorate, consistent with the Provincial Health Authority’s health infrastructure development plan and health services delivery plan.
He urged the ENB Provincial Health Authority to explore and come up with innovative strategies to significantly improve clinical care and public health services especially to the rural majority.
This is very important as my visits around provinces and districts revealed so far, a sad scenario where PHAs need to redirect and balance their focus between urban, administration and rural health service delivery towards improving and sustaining key health performance indicators for better outcomes.
Meanwhile, the successful contractor which has been given “no objection” by ADB to be awarded the work contract will be officially given possession of the site on Saturday 21 August, 2021 signaling start of construction.
