Oil Search Foundation funds health workers training

People living with HIV in the rural communities of Nipa-Kutubu in Southern Highlands, Hela, and Kikori district in Gulf will now have a better access to the lifesaving anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.
Oil Search Foundation recently funded the integrated management of adult illnesses (Imai) training course for 25 local community health workers comprising  doctors, nursing officers and community health workers (CHWs) from across 17 health facilities.
The 10-day course was facilitated last month by HIV specialists Dr John Millan and Dr Peniel Boas from the Department of Health. They trained health professionals on prevention, care, support and treatment of people living with HIV.
Taking the course to the Highlands, formed part of Oil Search Foundation’s effort to strengthen primary healthcare by improving rural health service delivery in the region.
Gemma David, from the foundation, said the course was a crucial step to increase the number of ARV prescribers.
“One of the biggest challenges faced by people living with HIV in remote and rural communities is access to the lifesaving HIV treatment,” David said.
People have to travel long distances to get to the nearest ARV prescriber.