MARCH 21, 2023
The vision of the Marape Government to bring services to within an hour from the people by road, air and water has become a reality for the people of Gaulim in Inland Baining, Gazelle, East New Britain.
Gazelle MP and Fisheries Minister Hon. Jelta Wong, Health Minister Hon. Dr. Lino Tom, and Pomio MP and Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters Hon. Elias Kapavore, opened the Gaulim Community Health Post on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
The Gaulim Community Health Post is funded by Asian Development Bank, the Australian Government and the Papua New Guinea Government at a cost of K4.5 million
This facility will provide supervised birthing, ante-natal care, short-term inpatient care and a range of other outpatient services.
It will greatly reduce the amount of time and resources the people use to travel to Kerevat and Nonga to get primary health care.
“If the people do not take ownership or show appreciation of the services that have been brought to you, services will be affected,”Dr Tom said.
“I want to remind you again that this is a big investment by our development partners. “
Dr Tom said Papua New Guinea did not have enough financial resources to support all the people, hence, development partners like the ADB and Australia coming in to support.
He said the least people could could do was to look after this important infrastructure.
The National Health Plan 2021-2030 has five Key Result Areas (KRAs):
1. Healthier Communities through effective engagement;
2. Working together in partnership;
3. Increase access to quality and affordable health services;
4. Address disease burdens and targeted health priorities; and
5. Strengthen health systems.
Dr Tom challenged the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (PHAs) and all other PHAs to send qualified people sitting in offices in towns to work at rural facilities right across the country.
“We want all rural health facilities to be open and operational,” he said.