The completion and hand-over ceremony of the Construction of New Enga Provincial Hospital Project in Papua New Guinea (PNG), funded by Preferential Buyer’s Credit of Chinese Government and undertaken by Guangdong Foreign Construction Co., Ltd. (GDFC), was held in Wabag, Enga Province on June 20, 2022. PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Chinese Ambassador to PNG Zeng Fanhua, accompanied by Enga Governor Peter Ipatas, Minister of Fisheries Dr. Lion and other PNG Government Members, Economic and Commercial Counselor of Chinese Embassy Liu Linlin, GDFC vice General Manager Lu Xiaoshe, attended the ceremony.

On the ceremony, Ambassador Zeng Fanhua pointed out the successful completion and handover of Enga Provincial Hospital Project is the latest and significant achievement of China-PNG cooperation in the healthcare sector. He said the win-win cooperation of the two developing countries demonstrates mutual support and assistance, friendship and trust. China stands ready to further provide possible assistance to PNG for its economic and social development.

Prime Minister James Marape, on behalf of PNG Government, extended heartfelt gratitude to Chinese Government for supporting the project. He said the Enga Provincial Hospital, reflecting the high-standard of “Built by China”, will play a positive role of demonstration throughout PNG. Aiming to improve the development level and deliver the best to the people, PNG government will further deepen pragmatic cooperation with China in all sectors, as well as proactively support all provinces to enhance their infrastructure construction in healthcare and other sectors.  

Enga Governor Peter Ipatas said that the people of Enga and the country have long dreamed of having a medical center with modern facilities and advanced technology, and under the great help of China, the dream has come true.

The Enga Provincial Hospital Project is one of the major infrastructure projects supported by Chinese Government with concessional loan. It is a new level-5 provincial general hospital responsible for fulfilling the medical treatment demand of more than 400,000 people in Enga Province, as well as the only one research and referral hospital in the highland area. The project is adjacent to Enga Normal College and Enga rugby field with complete surrounding facilities. With quick access to the Highland Expressway (one of the major highways in PNG) and the Enga Airport, it is convenient to travel to other major cities and airports in the country. Covering an area of around 34 hectares, the project is comprised of 4 parts: hospital building, staff accommodation, external works and the sewage plant.

Under the great support of Chinese Embassy, Economic and commercial counselor’s office, Exim Bank of China, and PNG Government of each level, Guangdong Foreign Construction Co., Ltd. has overcome all kinds of difficulties such as tribal wars, land issues, counterpart fund problem, Covid-19 pandemic and unstable public security, etc. Tackling the challenges with solidarity, upholding the Belt and Road Initiative and the idea of “community of shared future for mankind”, GDFC took root in PNG and carried out the construction work with great enthusiasm and morale, and finally completed the project on May 31, 2022.

The operation and service of the hospital will significantly improve the medical treatment condition for the people in Enga and even the highland area, moreover, it will provide the most favorable facility for PNG’s fighting against Covid-19 by providing good conditions for quarantine, treatment and rescuing critically ill patients.

The hospital, completed in department setting and high in design standard, is the very first self-built provincial hospital since the independence of PNG and the first modern provincial hospital in this country. It will set up a successful benchmark for other reconstruction and renovation project of provincial hospitals in PNG. The Enga Provincial Hospital, an excellent gift from Chinese people to PNG people, is also an active contribution of GDFC for the great course of China-aid.

Photo 1: Handing over of project golden key

Note: Third on the left: Zeng Fanhua, Chinese Ambassador to PNG; Fourth on the left: Lu Xiaoshe, Vice General Manager of GDFC; First on the right: James Marape, Prime Minister of PNG

Photo 2: PNG Prime Minister addressing and congratulating the successful completion and handover of the Project.

Photo 3: Aerial view of the Project

Photo 4: Ambassador Zeng Fanhua, Councilor Liu Linlin are planting the “China-aid friendship tree” with our company heads