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Angau Hospital Crisis: Morobe

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Angau Hospital Crisis

In a recent statement, Dr. Kipas Binga, CEO of Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA), highlighted the daunting challenges confronting Angau Hospital.

Dr. Binga illuminated a stark imbalance between patient numbers and available healthcare staff, presenting a significant hurdle to the hospital’s operations.

Serving a densely populated area, Angau Hospital currently grapples with a staggering 860 unfilled positions.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

In response, Morobe PHA has initiated an intensive three-week online recruitment drive aimed at filling these vacancies. Dr. Binga acknowledged that immediate relief might not be attainable, but expressed hope that the recruitment efforts would gradually alleviate the strain on existing healthcare workers, particularly in the Accident and Emergency Department, thus reducing patient wait times.

Addressing allegations of nepotism in the recruitment process, Dr. Binga vehemently refuted such claims. He assured stakeholders that all applicants undergo rigorous screening and interviews conducted jointly by Morobe PHA and the Department of Personnel Management, emphasizing transparency and adherence to established protocols.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

Furthermore, Dr. Binga stressed the critical shortages of medical doctors and nurses at Angau Hospital, affirming ongoing efforts to address these gaps through targeted online recruitment initiatives.

Dr. Binga’s statements underscore Morobe PHA’s resolute commitment to tackling staffing challenges at Angau Hospital. The organization remains dedicated to transparency and fairness in online recruitment processes, with the overarching goal of enhancing healthcare delivery and effectively meeting the community’s needs.

Angau Hospital Crisis

Related: https://insidepng.com/angaus-accountability-report-2024/

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Health

Callan Services Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer

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Callan Services PNG has many volunteers that help with their work. The Network of Callan Services is the largest provider of services to children and adults with disabilities in Papua New Guinea.

With their aim to help improve the lives of People living with disabilities, the Callan Services relies heavily on volunteers.

Volunteer work involves a lot of time and commitment, Michael Eran is a Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer and works with the Callan Services in Mingende Chimbu Province.

He started training to be a Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer in 2010 and in 2011 started as a volunteer.

“2010 I underwent training and in 2011 I received the certificate to work as a Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer. It’s been 13 years now working for this Organization,” Michael Eran said.

His work extends to all who need the services provided by Callan Services PNG and its international partners, he works with different groups of individuals living with disabilities, which includes the blind and other various disability patients.

Michael said one of his most satisfying role as part of his volunteer work is rehabilitating paraplegics, those who are paralyzed.

“We have various people living with disability in the community, and each of them have specific Programs for their rehabilitation, to help them to be more independent, so we schedule what devices to use also what exercises they need to do, to help improve their mobility as well,” Eran said.

He said those who seek help with Callan Services, he also assesses and refers them to specialists.

Michael says he doesn’t expect much praise and recognition towards his volunteer work, he says he often gets assistance from his patients but doesn’t expect much overall. He is happy when those in his care are doing well.

“Sometimes if those I help are able to assist me in any way possible they do. They are always appreciative of the work I do to help them, especially when they get some independence in their movement and show signs of improvement,” Eran said.

Related Story: https://insidepng.com/cataract-eye-surgery-in-rural-papua-new-guinea-250124/

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Health

Callan Services Provide Cataract Eye Surgery in Rural Papua New Guinea

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Callan Services provide Cataract Surgery for Rural Papua New Guinea

On the 11th to the 18th of November in 2023 Callan Services with the support of donor partners, including Christian Blind Mission, held a successful, one week Cataract eye surgery program in Mingende Chimbu Province.

Cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Cataracts are very common as you get older.

Callan services in the Mingende area of Chimbu Province, have been hosting the surgery for the past almost 20 years as an annual program.

Hopeful Cataract patients at Mingende awaiting evaluation.

The surgery is most sought after and many from all the provinces in the Highlands region make the pilgrimage to Mingende to get the corrective eye surgery.

With the rugged terrain across Papua New Guinea many in the rural highlands struggle to make their way to the hospital for the surgery.

The Callan services Program Coordinator in Mingende, Angela Mua in Mingende said some of these patients are carried from their villagers by relatives and Volunteers.

Areas in Chimbu Province are mountainous and some of the patients are carried in to the resource center.

So they sometimes don’t have a place to stay so we accommodate them at our resource center, so we have to charge fees to these patients, but we collect the fees and it helps us to feed the patients and their Guardians.

A program like the cataract eye surgery is very expensive, and Callan Services PNG are always grateful for the support from donor partners.

Mua mentioned that one of their longtime partners Christian Blind Mission.

“Christian Blind Mission (CBM) is our main donor to the resource center since 2002, for activities administration and wages for staff,” Mua said

Doctors are flown in for the surgery while the support staff from the various eye clinics in the Highlands region.

Damian Sungu the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Goroka Eye Clinic said they were here to help with the surgery, he himself has been part of the program since its inception.

“Cataract is like a prison, because the patients are left to stay at home and they cannot do much, so we thank our Community Based Rehabilitation teams, who move around in the Villages through some of the most toughest terrains, just to look for these men and women who suffer from Cataract, they do the initial screening to determine the cataract and later on refer them for surgery,” Sungu said

The week long program was a huge success with more than a 100 patients going in for surgery, in the past it was an all expatriate team of Doctors which led the surgery but in the past few years it has been an all Papua New Guinean team delivering the success of the cataract eye surgery in Mingende Chimbu Province.

Matthew Aeno Mala, a patient from Eastern Highlands province made the trip to Mingende, after the success of his eye surgery he was pleased with the results and praised all that made it possible for the week long program that helped many not only to restore their vision but to get back their lives.

“I thank Callan Services PNG for the surgery, I maybe in my 60s but I still can contribute to society and also work for myself, I know I am a useful member of my community,” Aeno Mala said

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Health

Optical Eye Screening

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by Frank Mogona

Kerowagi, SIMBU – Hundreds of people with disabilities are gathering at Kerowagi’s Mingende Station to seek eye-care and other specialist services.

This follows an outreach program by the Callan services targeting people with special needs in Simbu Province.

Optical eye checks in Simbu.

Callan services is facilitated by the locals in Mingende in partnership with donor partners from the Christopher Blind Mission in New Zealand and serves the six districts of Simbu province which are, Kerowagi, Kundiawa-Gembogl, SinaSina-Yonggomugl, Chuave, Karimui-Nomane and Gumine.

A former teacher from Eastern Highlands said Callan is doing a very important outreach that is reaching those in the rural communities.

He added that if they travel to Port Moresby for an eye check or eye cleaning, it will be too expensive for many taking into account accommodation, airplane fares and hospital fees.

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Health

Supporting SJA

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Island Mobile Hire Cars

A hire car company in Port Moresby has gifted St John, a fully kitted ambulance. This is to help continue its work, responding to health emergencies in NCD and neighboring provinces.

The Island Mobile Hire Cars handed over a brand-new Land Cruiser to St. John worth K170,000 as its dedication to the welfare of communities in Papua New Guinea.

Island Mobile Hire Cars’ Executive Officer to the Managing Director, Malcolm Mamatta said they recognize the vital roles St.Johns play.

“We are proud to be part of their mission and to contribute this fully kitted ambulance to enhance their capacity to save lives,” said Mamatta.

Hire car company supporting SJA with a fully kitted ambulance vehicle.

The running of an emergency service like St John is costly and there were reports of St. John Ambulances stoned while ambulance officers were attending to emergencies.

The handover of a fully kitted ambulance will increase the capacity of the responses by ambulance officers.

SJA Chief Executive Officer, Matt Cannon said the new ambulance is fully kitted with medical equipment and supplies which is needed to save lives.

“The addition of this ambulance to their fleet will enable them to continue to respond promptly to accidents, injuries and other medical emergencies. Ensuring that residents in targeted regions receive the car they need,” said Cannon.

Island Mobile Hire Cars

Related: https://insidepng.com/news-march22-rotary-club-of-port-moresby-supports-st-john-ambulance/

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Health

Supply of Medical Drugs

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Medical Supplies

Nine urban clinics in Lae Open will be supplied medical drugs from the Lae City Authority (LCA). Whilst the procurement and supply of medical drugs is a concern for the National Treasury and the Department of Health, Lae City Authority wants to ensure urban clinics have medical supplies.

In ensuring this happens, LCA CEO Robin Calistus delivered the supplies to Nursing Officer, Sr. Manzia Bomie on behalf of local MP, John Rosso.

The K100,000 worth of medical drugs will be distributed to Butibam, Buimo Road, Buimo CIS, Milford Haven, Malahang, Tent City, Taraka, Centre of Mercy and Sir Bob Sinclair clinics.

Sr Bomie from Butibum Clinic thanked authorities for the support and said the supplies will complement the work of medical officers.

“This supply will sustain the clinics until the next supply from Area Medical Store is received in November,” said Sr. Bomie.

In Parliament this week, Bulolo MP Sam Basil Junior questioned the government on the issue of shortage of vaccines for babies.

“It was reported yesterday (on Post Courier Tuesday 10 October 2023) that there was shortage of vaccines for children,” Basil stated.

Narrowing the concern down to his district, Basil said mothers in Bulolo are finding it hard to bring babies to Bulolo for immunisation because of the recent floods in Morobe.

“How will mothers take their children to the hospitals? These are basic drugs and vaccines for the children”, Basil asked.

However in responding Prime Minister James Marape said at no time his government will compromise the health of the children and its people.

“I have been told by the Health Department that there are supplies in stock and where areas of demands are they will be dispensing those supplies to,” Marape said.

Meanwhile Local MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso said, he is working closely with Health Minister Dr Lino Tom to ensure that health reforms including the efficient procurement and distribution of medicine for the country is given the priority attention it requires.

The Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MPHA) is responsible for ANGAU Memorial Hospital and all health services in Morobe.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/collaboration-for-cleaner-lae/

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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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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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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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