January 11, 2024- The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS) is undertaking a major infrastructure improvement project this year that will see over $7 million worth of renovations, repairs, and rehabilitation implemented at several facilities. As part of its overall strategic plan to improve healthcare services and health outcomes in Palau, MHHS is prioritizing infrastructure and facility maintenance improvements at BNH, while planning is ongoing for the construction of a new hospital facility.
MHHS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII), will commence renovation and repair work at the Central Community Health Center (CHC) site in Koror, the Western CHC in Ngeremlengui, and the Belau National Hospital (BNH). The CHC sites will undergo renovations, repainting and fixture replacements, while work at BNH will be conducted under the BNH Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (BNHRP). The BNHRP will address a key area under an overarching BNH Improvement Plan, which has a broader focus on infrastructure rehabilitation, equipment replacement and maintenance, quality of care improvement, workforce development, and administration and management improvement.
The BNHRP will be implemented in two phases over the course of next two years, to address critical infrastructure and major equipment needs at the hospital. Project activities will include repairs to extensive roof leakages, repair or replacement of major systems including the central air chiller, reverse osmosis water treatment system, oxygen generating system, medical waste system, plumbing, toilet and sewer systems, doors and windows replacement, and the complete repainting of the hospital compound.
Other major activities under BNHRP will also see enhancements to ancillary and support services including installation of new hospital grade appliances in the kitchen and laundry units, face-lift of the hemodialysis unit, and new equipment in addition to ongoing space expansion for the laboratory and radiology units. The project also aims to improve preventive maintenance initiatives through the provision of advanced training for Biomedical Technicians as well as further training and certification for BNH Maintenance Department personnel at Palau Community College.
The BNH Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project is funded primarily through appropriations in the FY24 national budget along with additional grant funding from the Republic of China-Taiwan, the US Department of Interior (DOI), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and New Zealand Aid. CHC renovations are being funded by the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). MHHS has also requested assistance from the Australian Government for engineers to assess electrical and fire fighting systems at the hospital, as well as provide expert advice on mitigation measures that could be implemented at MHHS facilities to address climate change impacts.
MHHS apologizes in advance for inconveniences caused by the renovation and repair works and will be advising the public on affected services once work commences at BNH and at the CHC sites.
Top: Ongoing work to expand the BNH Laboratory Department as part of the BNH Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project. Bottom: Current state of the Central CHC site in Koror in need of renovation work.