“The arrangements we have come to terms with, with Divine Word University is to develop this hospital into a teaching hospital that will support students under the Rural Health program in their clinical training,” Mr Parker said.

He acknowledged contributions made by the Fly River Provincial Government, other organizations and contractors operating in Tabubil and said OTML will continue to support the hospital in the future.

“The hospital has consistently rated five stars in accreditation and this year we are presenting ourselves for accreditation under the National Health Service Standards,” Mr Parker said.

“That is a credit not only to the support given by OTML and other donors, but is also a credit to the staff of the hospital; they are a dedicated group of people.”

Chairman of the Tabubil Hospital Board and President of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba, said the hospital will train doctors to be mentally prepared to go into the rural areas of the Province to provide quality health delivery.

“I think this is a great partnership; it’s something which will last,” he said, adding that another of the hospital’s core functions will be to conduct research on diseases and other health disorders.

Fr Jan expressed confidence in the Tabubil Hospital management under Hospital Administrator, Margareth Samei, saying that the Board’s intent was not to interfere with management.

Tabubil will perform three distinct functions as a teaching hospital: providing medical care and services to OTML employees and dependents, contractor employees and the general public; offering a practical field for academic and clinical training programs of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Divine Word University; and conducting medical research to provide input into Biomedical and Health Sciences Research in PNG.