Though mumbled to himself, his words caught my ear, “Best hospital in Papua New Guinea - not the best facility.” As hospital administrator, I tried not to take it personally. I’d heard it from many consultants in the past two years and though coworkers and staff rarely voiced it, I knew it was something we all felt.
The contractor, a highlander from across the Waghi Valley, was inspecting the sterile supply room, where water stains marked the path of least resistance from a hole in the ceiling to a tray of surgical instruments on the table below. In the medical ward, patch upon patch barely restrained the ceiling from falling. Corroded pipes crisscrossed in plain view through gaps in walls no longer deserving the title. In Kudjip, an outpost three times wetter than the rainiest city in the contiguous U.S., things tend to fall apart.
Having received a $2 million grant from the Australian government, we debated how to patch every gap, replace the rotten boards, and install new electricity and plumbing. We wondered how long the repairs would last. How could we care for patients in the midst of such extensive work? As the registry of problems grew long, matched by our list of unanswered questions, it became clear, we needed a new hospital.
On November 4, 2009, in a spirit of deepest gratitude and clear determination, we moved into the new Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.
Countless meetings, phone calls, consultations, flights, and over 4,000 emails have dominated the past three years. The “paper trail” resembles a highway more than a trail, filling ten feet of bookshelves. Modifications, adjustments, re-scoping, and addendums have been frequent necessities.
Designing a hospital for the highlands of PNG was an enormous challenge, something none of us had done before. In February 2007, I emailed my son, “I’m trying to design a new hospital,” I wrote. “It would help if I could create squares/rectangles. Do I have a computer program that will allow that?”
We eventually learned how to make the required geometric shapes and then filled them with lists of contents, from power plugs to massive autoclaves. We didn’t get it exactly right every time, but with the help of consultants and a heavy dose of perseverance, those lists and those drawings have been transformed into a marvelous new hospital complex.
More than meetings and documents, the new hospital is the result of tremendous commitment, sacrifice, and effort from a multitude of people with hearts of compassion and a willingness to give of themselves for the sick and injured of PNG. Mike and Diane Chapman left their homes and careers in Alaska so that Mike could serve as Project Manager. Don Strand of Medford, Oregon, came to Kudjip to share his expertise in building hospitals in developing countries. A strong work force of Papua New Guineans labored long and hard to construct the beautiful new buildings. Dr. Bob and Carol Arrom of Ohio sent 80 hospital beds. Jim Moore, Bill Wright, and Ken Thomas of Samaritan’s Purse provided, and continue to provide, technical expertise and solutions to our equipment needs. These are but a few of the names, but there have been numerous others who have given of their time and energies to bring the new hospital into existence.
The vast majority of the funds for the construction of the new hospital buildings were given by the Government of Australia through the PNG Incentive Fund. The Deputy High Commissioner, Australia High Commission, John Feakes, at the dedication of the new hospital, stated "It is a great privilege for me and for Australia to share in the wonderful work being done at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital".
Local communities are deeply proud and strongly supportive of the new hospital. During a recent tour of the new complex, Councillor Moro, a local leader, told me, “Now we see that our children and our grandchildren, even those not yet born, will have a hospital to care for them. It means everything to us.”
The new hospital consists of seven main buildings covering 2300 square meters, built upon the former soccer field just west of the old hospital. The largest building in the new complex is the 409 square meter obstetric ward with six delivery rooms, twice the size of the old obstetric unit. Total bed capacity has been increased from 96 to 130 beds, alleviating the problem of patients sleeping on the floor. Covered walkways and tropical flowers help create a comfortable atmosphere.
Whether or not we are “the best hospital in Papua New Guinea” as stated by the contractor, is for others to decide. We are committed to be the best hospital that we can be, and we are deeply grateful for our new home from which we serve.
Click Here to view the NEW pictures!
Here are a few pictures of the OLD hospital so you can see the need for the new one:
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Staff Bathroom |
Sterile Supply Room |
Sterile Supply Room |
Cleaners' Sinks |
