by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Hawaii State Hospital in Keneohe was originally built to house a total of 178 patients, however the mental illness ward has since become the go-to facility for patients that are sent by the court.
This has caused inconvenience for the hospital and as a result assaults, improper hiring practices and overcrowding have become commonplace.
Concerns were also raised on the safety of the hospital’s employees.
To improve the conditions of the hospital and solve the pressing issues of overcrowding, the state has outlined a new master plan to rescue the hospital.
The plan includes a $160 million to replace Goddard Building with a 144 bed patient care facility, and another 144 bed patient care in Guensberg Building.
The master plan as outlined by the state calls for eventual hospital capacity to reach 516 beds to cater for the un-accounted patients and for the future as well.
