Smiles and applause filled the Mt Hagen Provincial Specialist Hospital today as Western Highlands Governor Hon. Wai Rapa presented two new vehicles, a ten-seater Land Cruiser and a 25-seater bus, to nurses, delivering on a pledge made during International Nurses Day in 2025 and giving frontline healthcare workers a much-needed boost in their daily work.
The presentation was witnessed by WHPHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Jonah Kurubi, Advisor to the CEO Ms Jane Holden, Acting Director Medical Services Dr John McKup Jnr, and hospital staff, emphasizing the significance of the occasion.
Governor Rapa said the donation was part of his commitment to support frontline healthcare workers.
“Healthcare workers are very important front liners who deserve to have good vehicles that can make their work easier when they travel out to rural areas, serving those in need,” Governor Rapa said.
Reflecting on his pledge at International Nurses Day last year, he added: “I promised to provide two new vehicles for the nurses, and I am honoured to hand them over today.”
He commended the hospital’s progress, urging the public not to criticize staff and healthcare workers on social media, noting that Mt Hagen Hospital has some of the best health professionals who are dedicated to delivering the care patients need.
Governor Rapa further extended his appreciation to WHPHA Board Chairman Mr Sam Koim, OBE, and Advisor to the CEO Ms Jane Holden for their leadership, while also acknowledging current CEO Dr Kurubi for taking the reins and continuing to drive improvements at the hospital.
Hospital head Dr Kurubi, expressed deep gratitude for Governor Rapa’s continued support, noting that the Mt Hagen Provincial Specialist Hospital had benefited from his leadership on several occasions.
He said the Governor’s commitment had not only delivered essential resources such as the new vehicles, but had also strengthened the hospital’s ability to serve communities province wide.
He emphasized that consistent backing from provincial leaders like Mr Rapa is vital in sustaining improvements, motivating staff, and ensuring patients received the quality care they deserved.
Dr McKup added: “Having leaders like Mr Rapa is very hard to find these days. With hisleadership, other provinces are now looking up to Western Highlands, and this has led to a lot of support for our province.”
He also appealed to staff and the public to take care of the vehicles, stressing their importance in saving lives.
He highlighted the Governor’s role as Patron of the Eagle Foundation, which raised K1 million during its second Governors Ball in June, 2026.
“With this K1 million raised, we will now build a new Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for the children,” said Dr McKup.
Director for Nursing Services, Sr Janet Yamu, echoed the sentiments of her colleagues, saying the provision of these vehicles would ease the daily burden on staff and allow nurses to extend vital services to areas that were previously difficult to access, emphasizing that such support was not only a boost to the workforce but also a direct investment in the wellbeing of patients across the province.
The ceremony concluded with excitement from staff, who welcomed the new fleet as a milestone achievement in strengthening healthcare delivery and advancing WHPHA’s vision of a healthy Western Highlands.
