UN urges more work on rural facilities

UNITED Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country representative Marielle Sander says more work needs to be done to address issues affecting health facilities in rural areas of the country.
She said the Health Facilities Survey 2022, which was released last week, highlighted many key areas that needed more attention, especially reproductive health commodities and services.
“The results of the survey confirm what we have heard in the news about access to health in rural PNG,” Sander said.
“It is important that decision-makers and development partners join with the Health Department to improve the services and functions of the health facilities in rural PNG.
“The stock-outs across the country also point to the importance of strengthening the supply chain, beginning with facilitating customs clearance for commodities arriving in the country so they are not delayed at the docks.
“We are happy with the support of the Minister for Health, Dr Lino Tom, to review the distribution of health commodities following the release of this report.
“With the new distributors, we expect delivery to rural areas to improve.”