University plans new training institute

 THE medical school at Divine Word University, in Madang, plans to set up a training institute for health extension officers in Maprik, East Sepik, a head of department said.

Dean of medical school Professor Francis Hombhanje said they wanted to send second-year medical students training to be health extension officers to Maprik for rural job experience.

He said during the signing of the redevelopment of the Maprik Rural Hospital the university planned to set up a training facility for health extension officers.

“This similar training used to be in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands,” he said. He said the university would provide technical manpower and resources.

Maprik MP John Simon said he had already discussed it with the Higher Education Minister.

He suggested that a Boram School of Nursing be established in Maprik because the Boram General Hospital was not ready to accommodate such training.

Simon has committed K1 million from the district services improvement programme for the construction of the training school in Maprik. Construction will start early next year.