Health officials attend rural hospital’s commissioning

The National National
Lutheran pastors blessing Madang provincial health authority chief executive officer Fidelis Waipma. – Picture courtesy of Sir PETER BARTER

MADANG’s health authority, its executives, board members and a clinical staff from the Madang hospital recently travelled to Karkar to attend a commissioning ceremony at the island’s Lutheran Hospital.
The trip was organised to show the new provincial health authority the languishing health service in the area and what was needed in that rural area after years of inaction and non-provision.
Madang Provincial Health Authority’s (MPHA) chief executive officer Fidelis Waipma travelled aboard the Melanesian Tourist Services’ (MTS) Kalibobo Spirit with Dr Martin Daimen, Dr Charles Kalana, Pastor Komora Salum, Maggie Pidik, Kikimbe Bernard, Joe Agavi and Modilon orthopedics doctor David Pahau.
The trip to Karkar was organised by MTS’ managing director Sir Peter Barter.
Waipma said: “I can assure you all that the authority will make rural health centres such as Gaubin their main priority in delivering proper health services.”
Sir Peter had the provincial health authority (PHA) act passed in parliament during his time as the minister for health.
He expressed great disappointment that it had taken so long for the PHA Act to be established in Madang despite it being the architect during his time in parliament.