Catholic-run renovated aid post in Lae opens, renamed

By EHEYUC SESERU
THE renovated aid post under Catholic health services at Bumbu settlement in Lae opened yesterday and renamed Saint Martin De Pores.
Lae Diocese Bishop Rozario Menezes opened the aid post in the presence of members of community and students of All Saints Elementary School.
The old All Saints Parish-Bumbu clinic built in 1982 was ridden by termites and condemned in 2016.
It was pulled down in early 2017 and renovation work led by former Bishop late Christian Blouin started.
Bishop Rozario said renovations cost about K120,000 and was completed last November.
The opening was delayed due to confusion among members of community.
He said it was funded by donors from Canada and friends of Bishop Chris, with small support from government and the church.
“It will be under care of Catholic health services. We managed little help from government as well so we can provide services to community with what we have. It is not for profit but to help community.”
Bishop Rozario said it’s a community-based project so they must take ownership and look after it.
“I am appealing to community to look after the facility, so major changes can happen here to help and change people’s lives. It is for the community so look after it well,” he said.
“Don’t damage anything from it because one little thing that is damaged will affect a lot of people. Many others will suffer if the aid post is not taken care off well.”
The aid post has an injection room, dispensary, and outpatient, screening, store room, and will be manned by two health workers to serve the Bumbu community.