Help for Hela on the way

PEOPLE in Hela injured during the earthquake will be able to get treatment near their villages, according to the Hela Provincial Health Authority.
Dr James Kintwa, the chief executive of the Hela Provincial Health Authority, thanked Oil Search and the Oil Search Foundation for helping with technical assistance, capital works repairs, communications, and the provision of fuel, food and medical equipment.
The earthquake damaged health facilities in the province, and cut off power and water supply, and transport routes for drugs and other supplies.
The authority is preparing to deliver more than 9000 kilogrammes of essential items to the 35 heath facilities in the province.
“The essential support was possible because of the strong partnership that we have built over the past three years,’’ he said.
“The fact there was an Oil Search team living and working with us here in Tari meant we could together respond quickly.”
Kintwa said that the hospital staff had attended to more than 100 people and conducted 10 surgeries.
He said there were not many patients as expected.
“Our concern is this is because access by road to Tari is difficult which underlines the importance of health facilities and aid posts,’’ he said.
“Communication challenges made it difficult to get in touch with the district facilities, however, during the week, the team was able to make contact and turned its attention to rural health.
“By the end of the week the HPHA had assessed the situation in most of the facilities across the province determining the extent of damage and injury and developing a targeted operational plan to continue services.”