Kokopo market declared PNG’s first ‘model healthy marketplace’

THE Kokopo main market has been declared as the first model healthy marketplace in Papua New Guinea.
The declaration on Dec 1 was based on the Healthy Island concept promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department of Health.
The concept was developed in 1995 during the Pacific health ministers meeting on Yanuca island, Fiji.
WHO representative Nola N’drewei said the Kokopo facility was declared the healthy marketplace after fulfilling several healthy island concept standards. Kokopo is the model concept.
The standards required for inclusion in the concept included proper water and sanitation system, waste management and the general layout and operation of the market taking into account the application of all health and hygiene laws and regulations.
N’drewei praised the provincial market authority for its careful management of market infrastructure and the overall layout of the market area. “Kokopo market has been the model market for so long,” she said.
People from abroad, around PNG and within the province enjoy coming here because of its fine setup and how it is managed daily.
“When you walk in, you know where to go which makes it convenient for both vendors and buyers.”
People still admired the market and the city, she said, despite recent security concerns.
The Kokopo market declaration followed a week-long training session at the Gazelle International Hotel for environmental health officials and provincial market managers.
According to Rose Kavanamur, environmental health manager with the Department of Health, the training had provided participants with the tools needed to develop and improve their market setups.
“I commend the East New Britain market authority for a job well done in ensuring that public health is upheld at the market,” she said.
Meanwhile, chairman for community development and Balanataman LLG president Leonard Maing said Kokopo was proud to take on the responsibility of maintaining the province’s market image.
“We’ve come a long way in establishing ourselves as the country’s first model market,” he said.
“Let’s keep on maintaining basic hygiene in the marketplace and follow the regulations being put up by the authorities.”
Maing thanked the Department of Health and WHO for facilitating the healthy island concept training.