A total of K50, 000 from the Kokopo District Service Improvement Program (DSIP) will be engaged to the St Mary’s Vunapope Hospital in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, for infrastructural renovations and other hospital resources and needs.
Member of Kokopo, Hereman ToBaining Jnr revealed this during the recent commissioning and handing over of a digital X-ray machine in Kokopo.
ToBaining stressed that health is a key priority area and the district administration will be handing this fund to the hospital so that the management will look into areas that needs improvement.
He added that the hospital has been looking after the people in the province since the colonial times and is always open to everyone including neighboring provinces.
The member also pledged K20, 000 towards the hospital from his family business of Malapau Beach Resort which will be handed over to the hospital as well.
“As your government, we will work together with the Provincial Health Authority CEO to sign an MOU for the partnership for the hospital to become a District hospital.”
He explained that the MOU will be between the Kokopo City Authority and the ENB PHA so that it can free up some of the responsibilities under the financial powers and Kokopo district can look after that under some other plans such as upgrading of all the facilities.
Meanwhile, one of the district’s five-year plan for Butuwin town clinic is to be upgraded as well and this is one of the biggest plans in working in partner with the ENB PHA and Vunapope Hospital through the Catholic archdiocese and the Provincial Government.