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Health

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Health

Fighting TB

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Story by Tonny Herok

The Heart of Mary Health Centre, situated along the picturesque north coast of Madang province, plays a pivotal role in providing healthcare services to the local population.

Managed under the umbrella of Catholic Health Services, this facility caters to a substantial populace ranging from twenty to thirty thousand residents.

Main Entrance Fighting TB
Back Yard Fighting TB

This coverage extends over certain segments of the Sumkar district, encompassing the geographic span from Rempi to Banab.

At the forefront of healthcare concerns in the area is Tuberculosis (TB), a challenge that the health center grapples with on a daily basis.

Miriam Bagg, an experienced Community Health Worker (CHW), supervises the TB clinic at the health center. With a steadfast commitment spanning 29 years, Bagg has devoted her tenure to tending to the clinic’s needs.

Sister Miriam sheds light on an issue that has become particularly pronounced in recent times. Since 2021, the clinic has been confronted with a notable problem – a surge in the rate of lost follow-up cases.
This predicament unfolds as patients undergoing TB treatment fail to return for their subsequent appointments, with some individuals relocating to different areas altogether.

Attributing this trend to a lack of educational awareness within the community, Sister Bagg underscores the urgency of imparting knowledge about safeguarding oneself from TB and the critical importance of consistent treatment.

She emphasizes that enhancing community understanding can significantly impact patient adherence to treatment regimens.
In a resounding call to action, Sister Bagg appeals to both the Catholic and Provincial Health Authority to intensify their efforts in bridging this gap.

She emphasizes that effective outreach is pivotal to ensuring those afflicted with TB receive the necessary support.
As she succinctly puts it, “People are dying because we are not reaching out for them.”

It is her conviction that a concerted educational campaign, bolstered by the engagement of these health authorities, holds the potential to save lives and curb the spread of TB.

In a region where Heart of Mary Health Center stands as a beacon of hope and care, addressing the challenges posed by TB stands as a crucial objective.

With collaborative efforts and proactive interventions, in fighting TB, the health center envisions a future where TB’s impact is minimized, and the health and well-being of the community are secured.

Heart of Mary Health Centre Fighting TB

Recent: https://insidepng.com/coastal-protection-biodiversity-in-alexishafen/

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Health

Rural Road Link Vital for Services

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A woman was forced to give birth in a makeshift shelter in remote upper Bundi after a landslide blocked road access for an ambulance to reach her on time.

The Kumura Foundation Ambulance was responding to the emergency when it came across the massive landslide that completely blocked off the road in the Pomie Village area. However, the woman was able to give birth without major complications.

Heavy rainfalls last Monday caused multiple landslides, cutting off road access to Bundi Station from Chimbu Province.

Work on removing the debris left by the landslide started last Tuesday, with the Foundation donating funds to rally locals to clear the road passage.

Locals clearing the debris from the landslide.

Under its Community Service Obligation, the Kumura Foundation will continue to serve the people of remote Bundi with its ambulance service.

“Christmas is approaching, and we have three primary schools in Bundi, SMEs, farmers, and the Kumura foundation’s activities such as the ambulance service and PMVs from Simbu that access this vital road link must continue to deliver its services,” said Foundation Director, Vincent Kumara.

People in remote upper Bundi rely on this road access to get basic services in Kundiawa Town.

Mr. Kumura appealed to the MPs of Usino-Bundi and Chimbu provinces to assist the foundation as well as other service providers in maintaining this rural road access.

The Kumura Foundation Ambulance is stuck in a ditch outside Pomie Village in remote Bundi. The vehicle was donated by the Sir Brian Bell Foundaiton.
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Health

Emergency Section Upgrade

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Healthcare services at the Rabaul Provincial Hospital are predicted to improve with the introduction of new medical facilities.

This follows renovation work done at the Hospital’s Emergency Section which cost the Provincial Government K100,000.

The inclusion of new facilities provided by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited includes a mini theatre, acute and care sections, a resuscitation bay, and a nurse station.

The hospital’s acting managing director, Dr. Osiat Baining said there are plans to build a children’s emergency outpatient section.

The donation of half a million kina worth of equipment is part of KPHL’s social engagement program.

KPHL Corporate Services Manager, Luke Liria said part of the investment is to provide training for health staff so that there is regular and proper maintenance of equipment.

“We have supported the cardial service at the Port Moresby General Hospital, we will fully equip that hospital so that no one has to seek medical assistance overseas,” Liria said.

Rabaul Provincial becomes the first hospital outside of Port Moresby to receive this life-saving equipment.

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Health

Rural Communities in Morobe to Benefit from WaSH and Solar

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More than 12,000 people across 20 communities in Morobe Province now have better health standards and livelihood opportunities, with the official opening of new solar systems and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) facilities.

The new WaSH facilities in 20 communities across the districts of Finschhafen, Markham, Tewai-Siassi, Huon, Bulolo and Nawaeb include gravity-fed water supply for the communities, 80 laundry and shower areas, and 80 latrines, separated for males and females.

In partnership with the Environmental Health Development Agency, a PGK3.9 million grant through Incentive Fund helped to construct the new facilities.

The grant funded 310 kitchens and stand taps at 17 schools, 7 health posts and 28 churches. The new facilities have already had an impact on community health, with waterborne diseases reduced by over 60 per cent.

“Before this project, we had no reliable access to water,” said Mr Allan Siwas, WaSH Committee Chairman and Kuruwe Village leader.

“Now, we can be clean and healthy all the time and have so many options for new businesses and for our children to be safe in school. We are so grateful to the Government of Australia for these new facilities.”

Local communities supplied labour and transport for the projects, ensuring the skills and understanding for the maintenance of the infrastructure are kept close to the projects.

Vulnerable and marginalised members of the community were also engaged throughout both design and construction, building their skills and livelihood opportunities.

“The strong community engagement model used by this project serves as a model for other projects. With the support of the PNG-Australia Partnership, we have delivered training in sanitation and livelihoods, including food security, to community members,” said Ms Matilda Kuahen, EHDA’s WaSH Manager

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Jon Philp joined the community in Nasing, Finschhafen District, Morobe Province at the opening ceremony.

“I was hugely impressed at the contributions and commitment from the participating communities across Morobe, and I am confident the benefits of these new facilities will be felt for years to come,” said High Commissioner Philp.

The provision of solar lighting at the WaSH stations also improves the accessibility of the infrastructure leading to improved personal hygiene, safety, and health outcomes.

The PNG-Australia Partnership is supporting reliable, safe WaSH and solar facilities for communities all over PNG, including ensuring women and girls have privacy and security when using facilities or collecting water.

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Business

BSP Partners with Queen Pads PNG

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BSP and Queen Pads PNG Partnership

Queen Pads PNG, a locally owned SME that supplies locally made menstrual pads to help young girls and women in rural communities by conducting awareness and supplying their products has partnered with BSP Financial Group Limited.

This support will help the work and product distribution of Queen Pads PNG.

BSP recently purchased 1000 Queen Pads products, to help the SME distribute and conduct awareness to encourage menstrual health and hygiene in rural communities.

“We are a community oriented bank that believes in people. We also strongly support health, women and girls in communities and invest in where we believe can elevate community levels, especially in rural areas,” said BSP Corporate sponsorship Manager, Amelia Minnopu.

“As the largest private sector employers in the region, BSP employs over 4,000 staff, with women making up 50% of the workforce.”

“These products are made of durable, environmentally friendly and gentle cloths that can last for up to five years and it’s useful for female that can help is many ways. This entailed well with our Go Green campaign in supporting awareness on environmental risks. Moreover, it is an innovative new way to decrease our environmental impact,” Minnopu said.

She added that this support aims to contribute positively towards community building and reducing health risks within societies.

Founder and owner of Queens Pads PNG, Ann- Shirley Korave said around 80% of women and girls in rural areas still do not have access to basic hygienic sanitary pads, hence, the support from BSP will help in her work to reach the wider communities.

“Menstrual Health and Hygiene is essential to the well-being and empowerment of women and adolescent girls,” added Korave.

BSP and Queen Pads PNG’s partnership is a way forward in supporting women and girls in schools, workplaces and rural and local communities. More importantly, breaking the silence around it in the communities.

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