KAPUNA RURAL HOSPITAL ACCREDITED TO LEVEL 4 HOSPITAL

By Sandra ULG

The Kapuna Rural Hospital in Baimuru LLG of Kikori District, Gulf Province has been recognized as a level 4 hospital by the National Department of Health (NDOH) after the certificate of accreditation was presented to the Gulf Provincial Health Authority on Thursday (January 30th, 2024) in Port Moresby.

The hospital serves a catchment area of 30,000 people in the Baimuru LLG as well as the eastern regions of Kikori and Ihu LLG in the Gulf Province.

The certificate of accreditation was presented to the Gulf PHA Chairman Mr. Augustine Mano by the NDOH representative Acting Deputy Secretary for National Health Standards and
Compliance Dr. Dora Katal and was witnessed by partners Papua LNG project operator TotalEnergies Managing Director Arnaud Berthet along with representatives from the project operator, Gulf PHA and Gulf Christian Services Agency.

NDOH representative Acting Deputy Secretary for National Health Standards and Compliance Dr. Katal said in order to give accreditation as assessment was carried out by NDOH where she was part of that team. The team that visited Kapuna wanted to see the number of referrals to Kerema Hospital so it could justify establishing diagnostic support services in those facilities.

She says they did that assessment, and found out that there were many referrals for lab investigations, X-ray investigations, for little minor surgical procedures, but patients could not get to Kerema Hospital, because of the geographical difficulties and transport. And with those figures, they made the report, and justified that there is a need for improvement in Health Center in that region.

This saw the approval given to the hospital by the NDOH on November 8th ,2024.

Meanwhile Dr. Katal also thanked TotalEnergies and the Gulf Christian Health Services role the incredible work they do and are ongoing especially in capacity building in workforce and public health programs being rolled out to approximately 60,000 individuals in the area.

She says this is evident in the recent MoU signed by TotalEnergies along with the Gulf PHA and Gulf Christian Health Services in providing essential health services to the people in the region. This partnership will allow Gulf Christian Health Services to continue these vital services and extend their reach through important outreach initiatives.