Doctors treat thousands

MORE than 1000 people from the Nimamar local level government in Lihir, New Ireland, have been receiving medical assistance through the integrated health patrol programme since early this month.
The team consists of health professionals led by the Australian Doctors International and New Ireland provincial health department.
The Australian Doctors International, in partnership with the New Ireland provincial government, conducts the integrated health patrol programme throughout the year with funding support from Newcrest Mining Limited.
A team of 12 health professionals conducted a week-long patrol to five community aid posts and health centres in the Nimamar local level government.
They treated and counselled patients and provided practical training to local medical staff in those areas.
The patrol team screened 594 patients – 100 were school children.
They gave family planning counselling to 298 people, 219 were educated on HIV/AIDS and 110 physio patients were educated and treated.
Those that needed specialised treatment were given referrals.
The team also gave health educational talks to the areas visited. More than 380 people attended.
The partnership aims to bring a full range of health services to rural and remote communities.
The team on patrol were able to provide general health care, dental care, eye checks, physiotherapy, HIV/AIDS education and screening, family planning counselling and health educational talks.
Newcrest has supported the programme since it began some years ago because it wants to work in partnership with local communities and governments to improve the lives of the people in communities where it operates and to promote good community relations.