Ialibu district hospital upgraded to a fully-fledged level 4 hospital

The Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands, this week opened its new operating theater, marking a significant milestone in the hospital's development into a fully fledged level four district hospital.

This is in line with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority's [SHPHA] commitment to inclusive, equitable health care and in par with the National Health theme "Leave No One Behind" and will improve service delivery, reduce referral days and bring specialized care close to the communities in the Eastern end includeing Imbonggu, Ialibu-Pangia and Kagua-Erave districts of the province.

SHPPHA chief executive officer Dr. Joseph Birisi, while thanking the partners and those involved towards the opening of the six essential health facilities of Ialibu District Hospital, said the opening of facilities is about delivering lifesaving services to the people of SHP

He said SHPHA is proud to align this milestone achievement with PNG's 50th Golden Jubilee of Independence where it is also a time to reflect on how far the PHA has come and where it will head to.

"To make up a district hospital is not an easy task. It requires everything to be called a level four district hospital from having an operating theater, laboratory, x-ray, basic health services, equipments, skilled workers, human resources and is not an easy road for SHPHA," he said.

"I can confidently say thank you now to my board members and Chairman Augustine Mano for fully supporting and endorsing and make sure that whatever resources we have we must make one district hospital a model disttrict hospital apart from Mendi General Hospital so that we can roll it out to the five districts of SHP."

Health Minister Elias Kapavore who officiated at the occasion as the guest of honor stressed on the importance of quality health services made available to the people and commended Dr. Birisi and the board and management of SHPHA for taking the lead in the country for delivering healthcare services to where it is supposed to be delivered.

Minister Kapavore made a strong call to the Provincial Governments to work together and support the PHAs in their respective provinces.

In the meantime, the new enhanced facilities opened at Ialibu District Hospital include