Medical services benefit villages

 COMMUNITY leaders of Waghi Wan village in Anglimp, Jiwaka, have commended the government for committing K4 million to the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) medical ship programme.

Leaders from Latep, Kelinga and Goglmul said the programme had benefited many people in remote areas, including them.

YWAM is a non-profit organisation that brings overseas volunteer health professionals to the country to provide medical services in remote communities and spread the word of God.

Thirteen volunteer youths, who came through YWAM in America, Brazil and Samoa, were in Waghi Wan village helping locals in the area provide medical advice and preaching the gospel.

The youths are teaching locals how to look after their health and avoid contracting lifestyle diseases.

Community leader from Latep Jeffrey Pung said they were the first people in Jiwaka to have benefited from the YWAM’s programme. 

“We are so fortunate to have the overseas youths in our community as they are helping immensely to our physical and spiritual wellbeing,” he said.

He said the government alone could not deliver all the vital services that people needed but partner with such organisations for service delivery. 

Pung urged the government to fund such non-profit organisations to help the community.

Another community leader Manange Ketepa said the government should focus on churches and non-profit organisations for service delivery. 

He said churches and non-government organisations were playing leading roles in serving people.

Goglmul community leader Pit Komb encouraged the government to focus on health.