Australian Oil and Gas Company Santos Limited have put in K3million for the construction of Tari Hospital’s new accident and emergency ward (A&E).
In partnership with Oil Search Limited, a ground breaking ceremony was staged on Monday to mark the start of construction of this important health facility for Hela Province.
CEO of the Hela Provincial Health Authority Dr James Kintwa described the occasion as a significant event for the development of Tari Hospital.
“On behalf of the PHA, Hospital staff and Chairman, I would like to thank Santos. The A&E is an integral part of the development of this hospital,” Dr Kintwa said.
Since January over 65, 000 patients have come through Tari Hospital. 3, 000 were emergency cases. Without having proper facilities patients were referred to Mendi, Mt Hagen or even Port Moresby.
“Our commitments in the industry not only lie in the industry but with the development of areas where we operate in. And the development of this facility is our way of showing that commitment,” Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher said.
Meanwhile patients were given special teats apart from their usual medical treatments.
Part of Oil Search Foundation’s commitment in developing the hospital, staff led by Peter Botten and Stephanie Copus-Campbell delivered gifts for patients of the children’s ward and mothers at the maternity ward.
