Church launches programme

THE Evangelical Lutheran church of Papua New Guinea Jiwaka launched its health service programme for North Waghi last Friday at its Banz headquarters.
The theme of the occasion was “Evangelism through health service programme” and the church aims to roll out 15 health post projects from Nondugl to Kimil.
Members from the church’s Dawoo and Banz circuits were on hand to receive 11 community health workers from the Gaubin Lutheran Nursing College from Karkar Island, Madang, who will work in the district’s health programme.
North Waghi MP Fabian Pok witnessed the launching and pledged the support of the district development authority.
“It’s a first of its kind programme in the district, something that I have never seen before,” he said.
“It’s a huge impact project and I assure the district’s support to ensure these health workers are properly settled.
“I was expecting to see a whole district turn-out as this health service programme will not only benefit the Lutheran faithful but everyone.”
Pok said churches were at the forefront of service delivery in many rural districts in PNG and this was just another example of that commitment to the people.
He thanked those who had helped the church’s health programme become a reality.
He welcomed the health workers with their families and urged the benefiting communities to accord them every respect and support.
Jiwaka president Rev Jeffery Kaman said the church had initially only focused on education, but the addition of health services was a sign of progress and development to serve the people more effectively.
He said the health programme would be extended to other circuits in the province.
North Waghi health manager Nang Boma urged the people to be grateful for the initiative and to look after the facilities and workers.