Dr Peni who confessed he was a skeptic at first said Sir J’s vision to bring down such health services only found in urban settings is in line with the overall Health plan of the country.
“ By definition where there is a population of between 40,000 to 50,000 there is the qualification for a Rural Hospital. Namatanai alone has over 60,000 so this Hospital will run pallarel with the Namatanai Hospital. So we are privileged to have a leader who has a vision and driven by faith to implement such a world class Hospital in this part of New Ireland,” said Dr Peni.
Sir J said the Hospital was built to honor the memory of his late mother Miriam Tinkoris who passed away 47 years ago come October 30th.
“ This hospital is named after my mother because she was the best carer and she will look after you the same way she looked after me,” said Sir J.
Sir J further conveyed that the outpatient ward opening was just a warm up, with the actual opening of the entire Hospital to be held on the 29th of October a day before his mother’s death anniversary. He has never failed to visit her grave site in Rabaul since she passed on.
Despite political tensions in the Matalai LLG caused by a minority the Health staff said they are there to provide much needed health care to the people as per their job description.
The total cost of the Tinkoris Hospital is K18 million that has been totally funded by the New Ireland Government and includes 4 stand-alone Doctor’s houses and two Nursing Apartments. It will have approximately 40 staff, including doctors, nurses and an administrative manager. 
