A new level three health center, named Soroken Health Center, will soon provide essential medical services to over 20,000 people in the Mahari and Teua Constituencies of the west coast district of Kunua. The groundbreaking ceremony for the center took place today, marking the start of its construction. The center is expected to be operational by 2025.
The health center will offer a wide array of services including outpatient care, emergency services, an operating theater, a surgical ward, a waiting house for expectant mothers, two birthing suites, post-natal services, and a family support center. This development aims to bring much-needed healthcare closer to the residents of the district.
At the ceremony, Carol Poli, ABG Member for Mahari Constituency, highlighted the district’s struggles with accessing basic government services. “This district is Bougainville’s most disadvantaged in terms of accessibility to education, health, economic services, and law and order,” she said. She thanked all parties involved in initiating the project and emphasized its significance for future generations.
ABG Minister for Health, Dennis Lokonai, underscored the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, stating, “Our goal is to establish an effective health system that delivers services to our people, but this requires human and financial resources.” He announced the revision of the department structure to include new positions for the Soroken Health Center and other planned health facility upgrades.
Minister Lokonai also called on local communities to support and maintain the new health facility and its workers once operational. National Minister for Health, Dr. Lino Tom, present at the ceremony, acknowledged the challenges faced by health workers and assured support from the National Government for Bougainville’s development aspirations.
The Soroken Health Center project is co-funded by the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia, the Government of Papua New Guinea, and the Autonomous Bougainville Government. Future health infrastructure projects include upgrades to the Buin District Hospital, the construction of a Specialist Referral Hospital in Arawa, and the development of a south-west district hospital at Boku. Additionally, improvements are being made at Buka General Hospital with significant funding allocated for these upgrades.
source:ABG Website
