Health centre in North Fly runs short of medicine

By LUKE KAMA
Mougulu Health Centre in North Fly district of Western ran out of basic medicines in the middle of last year, a doctor says.
Dental surgeon Dr Kaspa Puli told The National yesterday from Mougulu aid post at Normad local level government area in North Fly that there were literally no basic government services there except the Evangelical Church of PNG-run aid post.
It serves 15,000 people.
Puli said tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis were currently on the rise.
He was the first dental surgeon to set foot in this very remote and unfortunate community since last month, as a volunteer, after hearing stories of their plight as one of the most forgotten people in the country.
“Mougulu is geographically located in Hela, but politically, it is said to be part of Western,” Puli said.
“This is because you can walk for one day from Mougulu to reach Tari in Hela, while it will take you almost seven days to reach Tabubil in Western.”
Puli said leprosy and tropical diseases such as tropical ulcers, burns, yaws, buruli ulcers, malaria and TB were very common there.
“There are about 31 aid posts operated by community health workers (CHW),” he said.
“Mougulu is the biggest aid post and referred as the main referral hospital.
“It has only one nurse, two CHW, a labour room, common ward and a room for antenatal and pregnant mothers.
“Currently, there are literally no antibiotics and other basic drugs here at Mougulu aid post.
“There is nil antibiotic drugs, nil malaria drugs, and nil analgesia.
“We need urgent help as the patients are still coming and we are doing what we can, but it is really a sad reality here.” Puli said people had to walk for days to reach the health centre – only to find that there is no medicine.