NIP health gets K350,000 boost

HEALTH care in the rural areas of New Ireland is expected to improve following the injection of K350,000 to re-open and upgrade seven aid posts closed down for the past 10 to 15 years due.
These aid posts went through sheer neglect and were under-funded forcing them to shut down or operate only on a half-scale basis. 
This project is a major part of the provincial health plan launched last year with emphasis on building infrastructure and capacity in the rural health posts to boost primary health care from its poor state to more efficient and functioning institutions.
Governor Sir Julius Chan handpicked the seven aid posts – Malesak, Besena, Siaman, Rei, Baungung, Katulusae and Sumuna allocating K50,000 for each project.
He said each project would go towards rehabilitation and upgrading work, utilising community contracts and local contribution to restore primary health in rural areas.
Plans are in place for 17 more closed down aid posts to be re-opened with funding set aside for it under the healthplan.
The MoA renewed with Australian Doctors International is to drive health extension and up-skilling of staff in rural aid posts and health centers to lift the health status of people to new levels.
“We aim to equip our rural health posts to such levels that we discount the need for referral of cases to health centres and hospitals and keep our people health and active at their own communities.”