Health centre shut down

**Overflowing sewage water at the disease control clinic of Butibam health centre in Lae, Morobe. – Nationalpics by EHEYUC SESERU**

THE Butibam health centre has been shut down for an indefinite period since last week, due to exposed overflowing sewage.
The health centre was condemned and closed by Morobe’s environmental health division.
Provincial environmental health officer Zambuna Gina said the centre would be closed for an indefinite period until the matter was addressed.
“This has continued for some time and become a health risk,” he said.
“It’s beyond the condition that patients and health workers can work or survive in.
“The place was always filled with people, health workers were already at risk and under pressure from patients.”
Gina said a pump managed by Water PNG and used to pump waste into a discharge pipe was stolen and so during blackouts the sewage overflowed into the surrounding environment.

**A notice at the gate of Butibam health centre in Lae, Morobe, telling patients to go to other health facilities.**

He said the raw sewage and waste from factories in the area had also been exposed near the health centre.
Nursing sister-in-charge Lina Wasinak said the health centre was closed last Monday and all its staff were sent to work at other clinics in the area including the Sir Bob Sinclair clinic, Milfordhaven and Malahang.
Sr Wasinak said the health centre had five nursing officers and eight community health workers (CHW).
Its catchment area comprises Aigris market, Top Town, Cassowary Road, China Town, Bumbu, Butibam, Hunta and Busulum compound.