Disruptions to health services at the Modilon General Hospital in Madang due to inconsistent water supply will now be a thing of the past with the commissioning of two new 120,000 litres Southern Cross tanks over the weekend by the Provincial Member and Governor for Madang, Hon. Ramsey Pariwa.
The two tanks were purchased at a cost of more than K300,000 by the Madang Provincial Government through the Provincial Support Improvement Program (PSIP) funds under the leadership of Governor Pariwa.
Madang Provincial Health Authority (MaPHA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Martin Daimen, said constant water supply interruptions into the hospital has been a long-standing issue which has really affected the operations of the hospital over the years and with the commissioning of the two new tanks, this is a relief for the hospital and MaPHA to ensure effective delivery of health services to patients.
“On behalf of the management of Madang PHA, the staff, patients and partners I want to take this time to say thank you to our Governor,” Daimen said.
“You started your duty and mandated role to play your part in the health sector,” he said.
“Our theme in health, there is a saying that goes 'Health is everybody’s business,' so you are playing your part as a leader,” he said.
“We acknowledge this assistance, as, a while back you came to commission the new children’s ward and within a few weeks you are here to commission another project you initiated under your leadership,” Daimen said.
“People have been praying for an instrument to deliver their needs, and their prayers have been answered,” he said.
“You fulfilled a lot, and we will continue to work with you,” Daimen said.
“Health service is not easy, and we need stakeholders and partners to work with us to deliver effective health services,” Daimen said.
Dr. Daimen added that in the health sector, there are pillars for service delivery in hospitals and some enabling factors that will ensure the smooth flow of health services and water is one of them.
“Constant water supply is very important for service to continue on a daily basis,” he said.
“Another enabling factor is electricity. Electricity must flow through the hospital 24/7 to ensure continuity of service. Apart from that we have infrastructures, physical infrastructures, static plants and medical equipment, these are enabling factors which will help us work with patients,” Daimen said.
“Another is human resource. Health is a sector that is multidisciplined. Many sections have their own specialists. So that is a factor that when we have good workers, we see effective service delivery,” he said.
“Some of these things are not within our control such as water and electricity but with your support, you helped us with our reserve water supply,” Daimen said.
Dr. Daimen said the old reserve storage tanks built in the 1960s hold 180, 000 litres but those have deteriorated over time due to lack of maintenance and now with the two new 120,000 litre tanks, these can sustain the hospital for a month should there be any disruptions from Water PNG.
MaPHA Board Chairman, Dr. Boga Figa, said the issues of inconsistent water and power supplies have really affected the hospital’s operations and the timely intervention by the Madang Provincial Government is a relief and MaPHA will now look at ways to address the issues with electricity.
Madang Provincial Planning Director John Sigara said there will be a stakeholder meeting with Water PNG and PNG Power in the coming weeks which this long-standing issues will be discussed to see how best it can be addressed.
The Provincial Member and Governor for Madang, Hon. Ramsey Pariwa, who had previously purchased two 9,000 litres tanks on two separate occasions for the Modilon General Hospital from his own money said his aim is to see Madang change and move forward and progress in terms of much needed development and service delivery.
“This shows how committed and dedicated my government is. If there is funding or not, sometimes we dig into our own pockets if truly we say that lives matters and it’s about the people of Madang,” Pariwa said.
“Sometimes let’s go out of our way if we truly care to serve. In 2023 I bought a tank for the hospital and then last year I bought another 9, 000 litre tank,” he said.
“These challenged me so now that funds are available, we allocated more than K300,000 for the two 120,000 litres southern cross tanks,” Pariwa said.
“I believe that this is one of the legacy issues, a long outstanding issue of water supply disruptions. No proper standby water supply system for the hospital for its day-to-day use. Without water, how can we save lives and look after the sick?” he said.
“Constant water supply will help us treat patients. Sometimes patients come and we can be able to treat them but because of no water supply and sanitation, it will affect their health, and they can contract other diseases,” Pariwa said.
Governor Pariwa thanked the Joint Provincial Planning and Budget Priority Committee who have approved funding for the purchase of the water reservoir tanks when brought to their attention.
