Health workers patrol Kokoda

EIGHTY-EIGHT suspected cases of tuberculosis (TB) were discovered by the 40 health workers and village health volunteers (VHVs) who patrolled 24 villages along the Kokoda Track.
Team leader Leon Sime said they also found that not every village along the track was receiving health services.
The health workers and VHVs from Central’s Hiri and Oro’s Sohe districts covered the 96km track for 15 days, from March 31 until last Friday.
The patrol, codenamed “Operation Halivim Sindaun Lon Abrusim HIV” under AusAID’s Kokoda development programme aimed to reach all communities along the track, including porters and guides.
VHVs and health workers also provided community education and confidential counselling to the track communities as part of the HIV prevention and care programmes.
The comprehensive health coverage also included TB screening, testing and treatment, immunisation programmes, maternal health programmes with antenatal care and family planning, dental care, clinical assessments and treatment for general medical problems.
Environmental health programmes addressing village waste managements and inspections of toilets and
practices were also conducted during the patrol.