Govt must upgrade rural health infrastructure

 WE continue to hear about people dying from diseases despite the Government’s efforts to improve the level of healthy living for our people. 

We hear of women dying from pregnancy complications while children die from curable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

I acknowledge the Government’s efforts through the Department of Health in its intervention programmes such as the free health care policy and structural reforms including the recently introduced provincial health authorities. 

As we understand, the ultimate aim of these policies and programmes is to improve basic health care services and to promote healthy lifestyles for our people.

Amidst all this, it has to be understood that government programmes are driven by actors within the government institutions and structures. 

Sadly, anyone can just imagine the current level and standard of health infrastructure in the rural areas of the country. 

Aid posts and health centers are the only two health structures that have served the rural majority since PNG gained independence in 1975.

The system was visible and was working well for our people then.

We must ensure to make the government system work again to save our people from dying. 

Bring back our aid posts and health centres and bring back our health system that we once enjoyed.

The Government must upgrade rural health facilities to cater for our people.  

Tembure

Konedobu, NCD