THE New Ireland Provincial Government (NIPG) is embarking on a major facelift of its two major healthcare infrastructures in the province.
New Ireland Governor Hon. Walter D Schnaubelt revealed this after a recent brief tour of the rundown Namatanai rural hospital with Deputy Governor Greg Toxie Seth, senior executives of the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority (NIPHA) and the provincial administration team headed by acting provincial administrator, Apelis Benson.
Governor Schnaubelt speaking to health workers in Namatanai of his future plans on improving healthcare infrastructure in the province has committed a total of K7 million through NIPHA to renovate Namatanai rural hospital and the Kavieng general hospital.
He said the Namatanai rural hospital revamp will be counterpart funded by Namatanai District Development Authority (NDDA) with K500,000 and NIPG with K3 million while Kavieng general hospital will also be counterpart funded by NIPG (K3 million) and Kavieng District Development Authority (KDDA) with K500,000.
Schnaubelt who is also the Namatanai MP noted with the limitation of land for Namatanai hospital expansion, he plans to build a new hospital near Namatanai town on a 20 hectare of land out of the 1,460 hectares at Bopire plantation owned by NDDA.
In a recent unannounced visit to the Kavieng General Hospital, the Governor also highlighted the hospital’s basic infrastructure has deteriorated to a point where it needs critical attention.
Also, the provincial government on June 10, 2025 has officially transferred the responsibility of Tinkoris Rural Hospital in Matalai LLG to NIPHA with plans underway to undergo major preparatory work to ensure national health standards are met before becoming fully operational to serve the people of Matalai, Tanir and Konoagil LLGs.
Meanwhile, the NIPG further allocated K13 million for the construction of new Community Health Posts to be built on Tasingina, Murat LLG (K6.5m) and Lambom, Konoagil LLG (K6.5m).
He has also announced the funding of Malaria elimination in the province with a funding of K1m per year over the next five years.