Health centre closes forcing mothers to give birth in village

THE maternity ward at the Paparatava Health Centre in Toma, Gazelle, East New Britain, has been closed since last November because of a health issue.
Pregnant women who visit the health centre for clinics and delivery are being referred to other aid posts and hospitals such as the Napapar Health Center about six kilometres away, Nonga General Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital.
“A lot of mothers could not afford to go to hospitals in towns for delivery but instead deliver in their villages,” said midwife Sister Jennifer Bata.
Bata said she had approached companies to fix the septic tank problem at Paparatava but it continued.
The health centre is also facing a shortage of drugs and space.
“We have some sections in the wards that need the isolation of patients, especially those with contiguous sicknesses. But everyone is just cramped up in the wards,” Bata said.
Mothers who visit the health centre are from the catchment areas in Toma and those from as far as Gaulim, Rapitok, Rabagi and Warangoi.
“We feel sorry for these mothers but we cannot help with the situation ourselves. Currently, we are still running the anti-natal clinics for the mothers but they are still being sent to the nearby hospitals for delivery,” she said.
The Paparatava Health Center is owned and operated by the Catholic Agency that currently employs a total of 17 nurses.