Inauguration of ANGAU Memorial Hospital Birth Suites
The ANGAU Memorial Hospital at Lae, the second largest city in Papua New Guinea has officially opened its new Birthing Suites on Tuesday, 2 June 2021. The opening ceremony took place on Monday, 1 June 2021. The new birthing suites are part of the ANGAU Hospital redevelopment project supported by the Australian Government in partnership with PNG Government.
The new Birthing Unit consists of 10 private birthing suites, 8 observation beds, as well as other specialised equipment and facilities. The Inaugural ceremony included a Blessing by the ANGAU Chaplin, and speeches from the ANGAU staff.
The WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC UTS) has collaborated with JID global, in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) and the National Department of Health, PNG and other key stakeholders in providing clinical support for the redevelopment of ANGAU Memorial Hospital – Birthing Suites. WHO CC UTS is currently undertaking fortnightly online workshops for the Midwifes at ANGAU Hospital, aimed at providing revision for the Midwifes and introduction to new technologies that were developed for the new birthing suites.
Several babies have already been born in the new suites, with a number of fathers able to witness the birth of their children for the first time.