By introducing a range of specialty services, Lae International Hospital has emerged as a leading private health facility in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province.

Lae International Hospital (LIH) continues to build an extensive specialty medical service to bolster Morobe Province and, more broadly, a country in need of modern health facilities.

The privately-run hospital, opened by Hornibrook NGI in late 2009, recently welcomed state-of-the-art Quantum Medical Imaging x-ray equipment to the centre, significantly boosting its capability and value to the corporate clients which utilise the facility.

After a widespread search, the Quantum equipment was sourced from the United States and will be serviced through a qualified agent in Brisbane, Australia, to provide LIH with much-needed logistical advantages.

Importantly, the equipment moves the hospital into the digital age and allows its doctors to send advanced imagery anywhere in the world via the internet when a second opinion is required.

It also positions the centre as an Australian Department of Border Protection and Immigration-accredited hospital for treatment of visa holders from Australia, who reside or work in PNG, and local residents wishing to apply for travel to Australia.

Accreditation

‘Having this capability provides the health industry in Lae and the greater Morobe region with a significant boost, as there aren’t many facilities in this part of the country able to provide this service,’ said Chris Thompson, Property Division Manager at Hornibrook.

The new x-ray machinery complements other recent developments at the hospital, such as the addition of modern-day ultrasound equipment and expansion of its dental surgery.

‘Supporting the Quantum equipment, we now also have two members of our staff accredited as panel doctors for the Australian Government.’

The new x-ray machinery complements other recent developments at the hospital, such as the addition of modern-day ultrasound equipment and the expansion of its dental surgery.

LIH’s dental surgery features the latest equipment and is operated by a surgeon with extensive experience in cosmetic and prosthetic surgery, including the ability to carry out complicated root canal procedures, teeth capping and teeth whitening.

Hornibrook’s corporate clients, primarily from the mining, services and retail industries, are already benefitting from this equipment and the services through contracts guaranteeing use of the hospital.

A long-term plan is to move the hospital from its current location in Lae to a new site.

Since 2009, LIH has built an extensive range of services, such as laboratory testing, a pathology unit, drug testing and autopsy facility, a spirometry department, audio lab for hearing testing, a fully equipped pharmacy and regular visits from a chiropractor.

Further adding to this capability, LIH is this year expecting to welcome an orthopaedic surgeon and pediatrician to its staff.

New site

LIH currently has seven specialist doctors, including a general surgeon, internist, dental surgeon, radiologist, gynaecologist and an anaesthetist. Each doctor also operates as a general practitioner.

The next step for the hospital is to consolidate its range of services by upgrading its older equipment and building on its training program for nurses.

A long-term plan is to move the hospital from its current location in Lae to a new site. LIH was originally fitted in an old restaurant building, but Hornibrook intends to develop a purpose-built facility in the coming years.