Hospital farewells doc – The National

**Dr Gabriel Yohang checking a patient during one of his visits to a rural area in Chimbu. – Picture supplied**

By JINA AMBA
ST JOSEPH Mingende Rural Hospital in Kerowagi district, Chimbu, ended the year farewelling a long serving doctor.
Dr Gabriel Yohang, a pioneer specialist in the field of rural medicine in Papua New Guinea, was one of the first three rural doctors who graduated with a masters of rural medicine from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of PNG (UPNG) in 2015.
“When I first came here, Mingende was a health centre transitioning to a rural hospital in 2008. I became their first doctor, and now I’m happy as it is one of the best hospitals in the Highlands,” Dr Yohang said.
The 40-year-old hails from Ponam and Andra slands in Manus. He said he enjoyed his time in the Highlands experiencing the local culture and the traditions in his 12-year stay.
He worked with the Catholic Health Services of Chimbu as the rural physician in St Joseph Mingende Rural Hospital.
As a rural specialist, his work included clinical work at the 100-bed hospital, conducting clinics, public health duties, hospital administration and bush mobile patrols to rural and remote areas of the mountainous province.
“People live in isolated hamlets rather than big villages as in the coast and are difficult to reach throughout the six districts. Despite the difficulties, we see Chimbu as a better health service delivery province in PNG,” he said.
Dr Yohang has been involved in improving the health of rural communities with programmes to improve maternal and child health.
“People came from all over the upper Highlands to seek medical services in Mingende. People came as far as Moro, Kutubu (Southern Highlands), Kopiago in Hela, Enga, Western Highlands and Jiwaka. We see the need for rural health care to be improved in our country.”
Dr Yohang thanked his staff and commended them for their dedication to working in rural and remote settings.
He said they sacrificed a lot to serve the people.
“There are a lot of rural hospitals in the districts which need to be upgraded. I am beginning to see some changes and hope more focus should be along these areas,” Dr Yohang said. He is expected to head the new Department of Rural General Medicine at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences UPNG next year. He said he was looking forward to his new role and the challenges it would bring.
“I’m hoping to get more rural doctors. While lecturing and passing on experiences and knowledge to our new generation of doctors, we hope to get a doctor for every district in PNG. This is a great challenge for PNG,” Dr Yohang said.