ESP plans rural health project

By ROSELYN ELLISON
EAST Sepik health division is working on a rural primary health service delivery project.
The eight-year project is jointly supported by the government, Asian Development Bank, AusAID, OPEC Fund for International Development, World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.
It will be governed by a steering committee of the departments of health, treasury and planning and monitoring as well as participating provincial health offices.
Health mentor for East Sepik and Milne Bay Jack Purai said the project would contribute to improved health for the rural population in project areas by expanding the coverage and quality of primary health care in partnership with both state and non-state health service providers.
The project would also focus on upgrading the clinical skills required for safe obstetric care, management of common paediatric illness, appropriate referrals and clinical supervision and the skills required to manage the local workforce as well as the other resources including facility maintenance and staff housing.
Selected areas of operation for the project were:
lLaiagam and Kompian-Ambum Districts (Enga)
lMul-Baiyer and Tambul Nebilyer (WHP)
lOkapa and Kainantu (EHP)
lWewak and Maprik (East Sepik)
lBulolo and Menyamya (Morobe)
lKiriwina-Goodenough and Alotau (Milne Bay)
lTalasea and Kandrian-Gloucester (WNB); and
lCentral and South Bougainville Regions (AROB).
The eight provinces would contribute to the project by appointing and resourcing a local project coordinator and support team.