Temporary relocation of clinical services at Kerema Hospital was opened on Tuesday May 26th 2026, as construction work commenced on the new hospitalredevelopment in Gulf Province.
The ceremony was held at Kerema Hospital and attended by Health Minister Hon. Elias Kapavore, Finance Minister and Member for Kerema Hon. MP Thomas Opa, Gulf Governor Hon. Chris Haiveta, Gulf Provincial Health Authority Chairman and MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano, and Hospital CEO Dr. Elvis Japhleth, with other dignitaries.
The temporary relocation allows health services to continue operating while building works begin on the new hospital. Patients will access care through several newly prepared and upgraded facilities set up to support service delivery during the construction period.
These facilities include the Operating Theatre, Emergency Department, Laboratory, Acute/High Dependency Ward, upgraded Surgical, Medical and Paediatric Wards, Portable X-Ray Unit, Temporary Children’s Outpatient Unit, as well as supporting infrastructure such as a 400KVA Generator and Incinerator.
These facilities cost the Gulf PHA less than K1 million to deliver.
Kerema Hospital has faced longstanding challenges with outdated infrastructure and limited resources. The start of redevelopment works is part of efforts to address those conditions while ensuring care remains available to the people of Gulf Province.
Gulf Provincial Health Authority Chairman Augustine Mano said the relocation reflects the commitment to rebuilding the province’s health system.
“We cannot stop services while we build. This relocation ensures our people continue to receive care during this period, while we work towards delivering a better hospital in Kerema for Gulf Province,” Mr Mano said.
“We are rebuilding confidence in our health system, lifting the standard of care, and ensuring our doctors, nurses and health workers have the facilities they need to deliver quality services. The people of Gulf Province deserve better healthcare, with reliable services available closer to home.” Governance around management of the hospital has also improved, with financial waste identified and eliminated, the accounts of the GPHA audited up to 2024 with 2025 being finalised, and K15 million grant from the National Government given two years ago saved for the new hospital.
Mr Mano thanked the National Government for releasing all the funding allocations for GPHA for 2025 and this year.
“With the funding we were able to maintain our operations, as well as build all the new clinical facilities at the cost of less than K1 million.”
”Government is providing the funding. It is the PHAs responsibility to properly manage those funds and deliver the services. If it is not happening, then something is wrong with the PHA.”
As part of the program yesterday, a ground breaking ceremony was also held for 20 self-
contained staff accommodation units. The new housing is intended to support health workers and improve staff availability at the facility.