health patrols benefit about 1,500 along track

Nearly 1,500 people in the Kokoda Track have benefited from health patrols delivering essential maternal and child health services.
According to a statement from the Australian High Commission, the health patrols were organised by the Kokoda initiative and Central health authority (CPHA) with support of Australia through the PNG-Australia partnership.
Cecilia Valamb, officer-in-charge at Sogeri health centre was part of the health patrol team that recently visited villages in the Sogeri catchment area.
Valamb said she had seen improvement over the years in her area.
“People along the track receive health services on a regular basis because of these maternal and child health patrols and we see that there is actual change in the families and communities,” she said.
“More women access antenatal services, babies are fully immunised, we have good facilities here and there are active village health volunteers who travel to households and speak with women about their health.”
Valamb added that the sufficient supply of medical drugs and regular capacity building of health workers also contributed to boosting health service delivery in Sogeri.
The recent health patrol which she was a part of, covered nearly 1,500 people in the region. The patrol was a great opportunity for villagers to receive Covid-19 awareness, apart from the usual health patrol activities.
The Kokoda initiative has been working closely with the CPHA to bring health services, particularly maternal and child health services and health awareness to people in the Kokoda area.