The site for the new Soroken Health Center and construction materials arrived last month. The new health center once completed, will provide outpatient services, accident and emergency care, an operating theater, surgical ward, a waiting house for expectant mothers, two birthing suites, post-natal services and a family support center. Photo: Facebook / Autonomous Bougainville Government
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is prioritising the improvement of healthcare facilities across the region, Secretary of Health, Clement Totavun, says.
According to Bougainville Longterm Vision 2052, the rugged mountainous terrain for Bougainville where significant populations live make delivery of health services difficult.
Totavun said the autonomous Papua New Guinea region has multiple health projects at various stages of development.
He said the Kunua District Health Center at Soroken on the west coast of North Bougainville, is set to become a level three health center, serving communities along the west coast.
It should be complete by the end of next year and over 20,000 people from the Mahari and Teua constituencies are expected to benefit from the project
Totavun said Buka General Hospital is actively addressing essential equipment issues, particularly a new x-ray machine and the CT scanner.
He said the hospital is currently using a portable x-ray machine while it works to procure a new one.
Plans for the Arawa Specialist Referral Hospital, designated as a level five facility, are progressing with the design tender set to be published this week.
"This new facility is as per the National Health Plan which one of the priorities state that each province must have a specialist referral hospital.
"My Department remains committed to ensuring that this new hospital meets the highest standards."
In South Bougainville, the Buin District Hospital is planned to be a level four facility and will be supported largely by the Asian Development Bank.
The Health Minister Dennis Lokonai said in June that while the government was committed to establishing an effective and functional healthcare system, it "cannot achieve that without the required human and financial resources".
ADB representatives are currently in Bougainville, conducting consultations.