New accommodation for health workers brings relief

HEALTH workers at the new Buna Health Centre in Northern now have two furnished units.
Community health worker Margaret Yowei has been working at the centre since graduating a year ago.
She is pleased to have accommodation closer to her work.
Previously, she had to travel in from the next village.
“I was really worried running through the bushes to reach the health centre to help women giving birth. There are crocodiles out there in the night, and we even had a few victims brought into the health centre,” Yowei said.
Margaret received the keys to her new accommodation early this month.
She will soon be joined by her husband, who is currently completing his nursing course.
The husband and wife team will be able to respond to health emergencies at the centre 24/7.
Covering 12 catchments with a population of around 10,000 people, the health centre has three health workers supported by the Northern health authority and the Kokoda Track Foundation.
Officer-in-charge, Rodney Wakei, managed the old health centre for many years before moving to the new building last year.
He said it was great to see the old building transformed into two fully furnished accommodation units.
The project was completed with the support of the Australian government through the Kokoda Initiative.