Madang PHA plans to improve level 1 health facilities”

Plans are underway by the Madang Provincial Health Authority to raise the standard of all level one health facilities in the province to enable them to deliver level 3 services to the people.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of Madang PHA, Dr Sammy Thomas, announced this yesterday whilst speaking at the official opening of the renovated Enekwai aidpost in Ward 22 of Bundi Local Level Government, Usino Bundi District.

"Madang Province has three hard-to-reach districts where people find it quite difficult to bring the sick to main hospital or the health centres for treatment which the level one health facilities cannot provide," Dr. Thomas said.

"That is why MaPHA is considering taking this step. We have to bring these services to them."

He said level one facilities can no longer have only one staff and should afford at least three working officers with midwife amognst the group to help mothers deliver in labour.

Dr. Thomas said a lot of people have died whilst seeking medical care elsewhere, which is a concern.

"People deserve better health care that must be delivered at their doorsteps, and not them running around looking for it," he said.

The acting CEO also urged locals to take ownership of services they are receiving so that they last longer to benefit future generations.

Madang Provincial Health Authority yesterday also took delivery of a fully- kitted ambulance for the Enekwai aidpost, courtesy of Mineral Resources Madang Limited and MRDC.

Enekwai is a relocated village outside the Kurumbukari Special Mining Lease (SML) area.