By POSTCOURIER ONLINE | NOVEMBER 25, 2025 at 1:51 am
Prime Minister James Marape has emphasized the Government’s commitment to strengthening provincial health systems, releasing detailed funding figures and directing that all future district-level health investments in Hela Province must be channeled directly through the Hela Provincial Health Authority (PHA).
Speaking at the Hela PHA fundraising dinner on Sunday evening (November 23, 2025), Prime Minister Marape said the significant improvements in health delivery across the province were the result of disciplined management of the K40 million allocated to Hela PHA over the last three years.
“What you are seeing today is the work done with just K40 million,” he said.
“If Hela — often labelled the ‘least of the least’ — can deliver this much in remote, rugged communities, then provinces with easier access must deliver far more.”
He added that since 2019, the Pangu-led Government has disbursed more than K840 million to Provincial Health Authorities nationwide, supporting hospitals, rural health posts, and essential medical services.
Tari-Pori District Health Support
Prime Minister Marape highlighted targeted district support delivered by the Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA), which has provided funding to the following health facilities:
- Lina Pini — K100,000
- Hambuali — K100,000
- Munima — K100,000
- Itipu — K100,000
- Pori — K100,000
- Tade — K100,000
He emphasized that the district was now fully aligning future health investments under Hela PHA leadership.
“TP DDA will pass all our health sector funds to Hela PHA to develop our health service sector. We also want to have a basic health care facility in all our 82 villages,” he said.
He added that for decades, Tari District Hospital has carried the burden of serving the entire province.
“For many years, my people of Tari-Pori sacrificed our small district hospital for the whole province,” he said.
“As we build a proper provincial hospital, we must also strengthen urban clinics to ease the load.”
Four New Urban Clinics Proposed in Partnership with Churches
Prime Minister Marape outlined plans to establish four new urban clinics to relieve pressure on the existing Tari Hospital and the upcoming provincial hospital.
He identified the following church-run centres as key partners:
- Halengoali (ECP)
- Habare (SDA)
- Kupari (Catholic)
- Hoeibia (United)
“These clinics must pick up the everyday load so that the new provincial hospital becomes a true referral centre,” he said.
Future Health Funding to Go Directly to PHA
Prime Minister Marape issued a clear directive to all district leaders in Hela Province:
“We will not reinvent the wheel. Pass the money to PHA — let PHA deliver.”
He emphasized that PHAs already have the governance systems, professional leadership, and accountability structures required to deliver consistent services.
“Health must be delivered by qualified managers and clinicians. The PHA is your structure — support it.”
Signs of Progress in Hela
Prime Minister Marape said positive change was emerging across the province due to disciplined leadership, community cooperation, and structured PHA planning:
- Local-level government elections were completed peacefully with minimal police deployment.
- Health facilities are expanding under coordinated PHA planning.
- Administrative systems are stabilizing.
- Communities are increasingly participating in governance and service delivery.
“The birth of prosperity is now sprouting,” he said.
“Hela is only 12 years old as a province, but the signs are promising.”
Reset PNG@50: Accountability as the National Standard
Linking Hela’s progress to the national Reset PNG@50 reform agenda, Prime Minister Marape said the next 50 years must be built on discipline, accountability, and hard work.
“This nation needs more men and women who work hard,” he said. “Not those who complain for money — but those who turn whatever we send into services for our people.”