New Wanigela Health Centre to have fulltime doctor

By JOYCE INGIPA
THE newly built Wanigela Health Centre that replaced the old diabetic clinic was officially opened yesterday at Wanigela village in Port Moresby.
Speaking during the ceremony, Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko said, through the Moresby South service improvement programme (DSIP) funds, he would ensure a doctor would be stationed full time at the clinic to attend to patients.
“We have done the same for the Kaugere clinic and we will do the same here at Wanigela clinic so a fulltime doctor can be here,” Tkatchenko the Housing and Urban development Minister said.
“No more running to Port Moresby General Hospital or Kaugere clinic because now you will have a doctor and nurses stationed here not only for diabetes patients but also for general health treatment.”
The new clinic was funded through the Port Moresby South DSIP in partnership with National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop at a cost of K900,000.
Tkatchenko said they had worked closely with the Health Department and the city authority to ensure that all medical standards were reached.
Tkatchenko appealed to the people of Koki and Wanigela villages to take ownership of the facility by looking after it, and their own health as well.
“We can build these health clinics and facilities but at the end of the day you have to take care of your own health.
“Just because you have a clinic here doesn’t mean that you have to be sick all the time,” he said.
Parkop commended Tkatchenko for his development efforts in his electorate.
“Our goal is to provide standard health services in the city.
“We have to deliver high standard of health care both in curative and preventive care,” Parkop said.
Parkop appealed to the local community to play their part in looking after their own health.
“Everything will fail in our family and country if we don’t have a healthy lifestyle.”