MP shares hardships of district

By PETER WARI
MENDI-Munihu MP Raphael Tonpi who witnessed six mothers giving birth inside his vehicle while transporting them to the Mendi Provincial Hospital says he understands the hardship women face and will improve rural health facilities in the district.
Tonpi told The National that mothers needed better healthcare services, especially antenatal
care, as complications during pregnancy and during birth put both mother and child’s lives at risk.
“The six mothers that gave birth inside my vehicle along the road as I tried to transport them to the hospital failed to go to the hospital for antenatal care because they did not have the money to travel,” he said.
“The poor health facilities in the rural areas was another problem and PMVs could not go into remote villages for the mothers to travel because of the poor road conditions,” he said.
Tonpi said many women had lost their lives as a result of an inability to get to hospitals quickly.
He added that it was the same for the elderly as well.
Tonpi also called on husbands to support their wives during pregnancies and work to ensure they received medical assistance when needed.
He said healthcare in Mendi-Munihu would be improved as a priority.
“We have many health facilities in the rural areas, those will be improved, medical supplies received and stored and health workers stationed.
“There are many other important sectors which needs improvement such as education, agriculture, road and bridge infrastructure, small and medium enterprise activities among others but only when people are in good health will they enjoy those services,” Tonpi said.