‘Service delivery a call from God’

PROVIDING healthcare services to patients and families in the rural areas poses significant challenges but comes with unique rewards as it is a call from God, Southern Highlands health authority (PHA) public health director George Epei says.
“The people of Nipa are known for a series of law and order issues but they never lay a hand on health facilities which is a good example to others,” he said.
“You (locals) are good people, the hospital had been sitting idle for some years and no damage had been reported.
“The people are showing respect to health workers which is excellent and that should continue.
“The new hospital will have a doctor and other health workers who will need the cooperation of communities to protect the hospital from garm.”
Nipa-Basin local level government president John Titus said it would be better if the PHA gave priority to local health workers to be stationed in the facilities.
“People from other places posted to a rural health facilities do not stay long, and flee when there are tribal conflicts and other issues,” he said.
“When we have local health workers, they have relatives and will not fear anyone.
“They will stand firm to provide healthcare services.”