Australia High Commission
The
Joint Understanding commitments by Australia and PNG include the deployment of
50 Australian Federal Police advisors, scoping and design of the Madang-Ramu
Highway and reconstruction of the lower courts in Port Moresby, and support for
the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure at the University of PNG.
Australia
and Papua New Guinea yesterday moved another step toward redeveloping the Lae
ANGAU Memorial Hospital, issuing a request for expressions of interest in
preparing the Health Services and Facilities Master Plan for the project.
The
two nations have agreed to co-fund the reconstruction of the hospital through
the Australia-PNG Joint Understanding on Further Bilateral Cooperation on
Health, Education, and Law and Order, signed in July 2013.
The
ANGAU hospital redevelopment will be the largest health infrastructure project
since PNG’s independence. Australia is investing up to AUD$207 million in the
redevelopment including the Master Plan and 50 per cent of the capital cost of
works.
Australia’s
High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Deborah Stokes, said Australia is committed to
working with PNG to advance the priorities agreed in the Joint Understanding.
“The
masterplanning process will equip both governments with the information we need
to redevelop the hospital facilities. This redevelopment will be done in
a manner which is adapted to the PNG population’s health needs, can be staffed,
is affordable and is able to be maintained,” Ms Stokes said.
Mr
Ambrose Kwaramb, Manager Health Facilities Standards, National Department of
Health, said: “The health service and health facilities design standards will
guide the redevelopment of the hospital from master planning, to design and to
the construction stage.”
The
masterplanning process will include consultations with all hospital
stakeholders, an assessment of existing clinical and non-clinical services and
facilities, and an analysis of needs and gaps in services and facilities.
It
will recommend a comprehensive site plan for the redevelopment and a phased
demolition and construction program. Construction will be staged in order to
maintain full operation of current hospital services.
The
Master Plan will recommend preliminary design concepts, including energy
efficiency measures, to assist the architects at the design stage.
The
Master Plan, followed by detailed design work, will take approximately two
years. Major construction work will commence in 2016-17.
Australia’s
recent support for health infrastructure in PNG includes building a TB
isolation ward in Daru, Western Province, refurbishing and rebuilding selected
rural health facilities and rehabilitating three of PNG’s midwifery schools and
the construction of two new midwifery schools.
Australia
has also indicated to the PNG Government its willingness to support the
establishment of an Independent Health Procurement Authority to help PNG
improve the effectiveness of PNG’s health services.
Expressions
of interest in preparing the Health Services and Facilities Master Plan will
close on Friday 7 February 2014, with selected consultancy firms asked to lodge
full proposals by Tuesday 11 March 2014. A contract with the successful
consortium will be in place by mid-April 2014.
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