WHPG delivers K500,000 health support
The Western Highlands Provincial Government (WHPG) has supported healthcare services in the province with K500,000 to purchase two new vehicles for the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA).
The cheque was presented on Monday by Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa to Acting Chief Executive Officer of WHPA, Jane Holden.
This follows a commitment Governor Rapa made during the World Nurses Day celebrations in Mt Hagen last year.
Governor Rapa said health is a very important service and must be given priority by all governments.
“Health is a very important part of our government. For Western Highlands, this support will continue to improve the quality of healthcare in the province,” Governor Rapa said.
He said the K500,000 will be used to buy a 25-seater coaster bus and a 10-seater Toyota Land Cruiser for the Health Authority.
Rapa said Western Highlands has some of the best specialized medical officers and clinical staff in the country.
He said because of this, the provincial government will prioritize healthcare services to ensure better delivery across the province.
Meanwhile, Governor Rapa thanked the PHA Board and management, under the chairmanship of Sam Koim, for the improvements seen in healthcare delivery in the province and the Highlands region.
Acting CEO of the WHPHA Jane Holden thanked the Provincial Government for the timely support.
“This is the support we need to help us bring healthcare services closer to our people," Holden said.
Holden said in her eight years at the WHPHA, this is the first direct support of this kind from the Provincial Government, while also acknowledging that previous governments had assisted the hospital in different ways.
She said the vehicles are long overdue and the support also comes as the hospital prepares to mark its 60 years anniversary of operating in the province.
Holden said the new vehicles will improve transport for health workers and strengthen healthcare services for the people of Western Highlands Province