Councillors, presidents urged to promote basic health

 COUNCILLORS and local level government presidents have been urged to take ownership of basic health promotional activities initiated in village level to cater for healthier living.

Certain basic health programmes to promote health, hygiene and sanitation to prevent communicable diseases and safe motherhood were initiated.

Morobe provincial health adviser Dr Micah Yawing said that to protect and promote healthy population and lifestyle in rural areas, basic health, hygiene and sanitation was critical.

The inception of these programmes requires enhancement and ownership from ward councillors and local level council presidents to capture them into their five-year ward and LLG development plan.

The villagers were engaged as volunteers and trained to promote these programmes aim at promoting basic hygiene and sanitation for village health promoter for health and hygiene, healthy island concept and village birth attendant among others.

Yawing said that the councillors and LLG presidents shall realise the importance of such health programmes and value them.

“These health programmes are just same as those like village peace officers and village courts initiated on voluntary basis purposely to protect human lives. Therefore councillors and LLG presidents must look within their ward levels to identify government initiatives established and support them instead to run to district and provincial offices” Yawing said.

He said that if LLG presidents and councillors identify and understand real meaning of such programmes will give them broader understanding on how to work around to promote as well to seek further assistance from outside.

“These villagers were trained basic skills and knowledge engaged as volunteers that are not paid fortnightly therefore it is the responsibility of the councillors to educate community to assist them one way or the other” Yawing said.

He said those people shall be seen and regarded as part of the community engaged as volunteers to serve the community at freewill.