Workshop aims to improve health services in province

PUBLIC servants and Oil Search Foundation (OSF) officials attended a week-long workshop in Mendi focused on improving health services in Southern Highlands.
The officials were from the Southern Highlands health authority, Nipa-Kutubu development authority, Kutubu health facilities, church managers and the OSF representatives.
They discussed challenges facing health workers in remote areas of the province, how to access immunisation programmes, ante-natal care, treatment of preventable diseases and pandemic response support.
Michael Abel of the Baguale health centre in Nipa-Kutubu, said it was an “enlightening workshop”.
“A session conducted by John Piel of OSF on facility-based budgeting allowed us to understand the process of health financing,” Abel said.
“It was a real eye opener for many of us.
“We should be able to plan, budget and manage health services better to address our highest priorities.”
OSF field operations manager Milton Kwaipo said: “Over the next year, we will see a lot of improvements in the services delivered to the people of Kutubu.
“If we do all work together, we can achieve a lot.”
The foundation promised to work with the health authority and the Evangelical Church of PNG to make sure health workers get the support, training and medicines they need to protect the people of Kutubu from preventable illnesses.