Upper Jimi health visit a pleasant surprise for locals

By TONY PALME
LOCALS were moved when a team of health officials from the Jiwaka provincial administration visited remote Kol, in Upper Jimi, yesterday.
The team included Kudjip Nazarene Provincial Hospital’s Dr Imelda Assaigo, provincial HIV coordinator Kuk Gola, district health services superintendent Sister Kolly Bang, provincial cold chain and logistic officer Micca Zilu, provincial health in-service training officer Sister Dire Kolin, officer in charge of Minj satellite clinic Sister Julie Topie, Nurse Elizah Ape and provincial administration director for social services David Wamea.
Gola told the locals that they were in Upper Jimi to assess how health services were functioning and what could be done to improve them.
“We are here with people from the health sector in the province and church health services. They will talk to the four district health workers in Upper Jimi and the people.,” Gola said.
“We feel that people in remote areas like Jimi struggle to access health services. It is time we establish a system to deliver health services to the people.” Tom David, a mother of seven who was among the first to welcome the officials at the Kol airstrip, said it was the first time for her to see officials visit the area. “We have been carrying pregnant mothers, sick people, and dead bodies on homemade stretchers.,” she said.