Project aims to boost rural health services

 By ELIZABETH MIAE

PEOPLE in rural areas can expect an improvement in health services with the implementation of a project by the national health department.

The department is working together with Medipeace Korea and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) to implement the project at district level. 

The project is titled “PNG health intervention project: strengthening district health system”.

It will be implemented in the Rigo and Abau districts of Central and Asaro and Daulo districts of Eastern Highlands at a cost of US$5.5 million.

The project started last Friday with a ground-breaking ceremony for the Rigo district hospital at Kwikila station. 

Medipeace and Koica are supporting the National Health Plan (2011-2020) to improve the district health system and provide better service to rural people. 

The project aims to improve infrastructure at health centres in the selected districts, improve management of health facilities at the national and provincial level and strengthen the capacities of health care workers. 

Work on the project includes the renovation of health centres, emergency units, outpatient units, child and maternal health units, inpatient wards and administrative blocks and the provision of medical equipment. 

Transport Minister and Rigo MP Ano Pala said the right mix of planning, programme implementation and investment could address the mortality and morbidity issues. 

Medipeace is a humanitarian non-government organisation providing assistance and medical care to vulnerable people.