Mola Foundation improves rural maternal health facilities

Mothers in the remote Gomgale area of Gumine District, Simbu Province, will now have access to safer birthing facilities, thanks to the ongoing work of the Dr Mola Foundation.

The Foundation, started in 2021 and headed by prominent obstetrician and gynaecologist Professor Glen Mola, works to improve maternal and newborn healthcare in Papua New Guinea by promoting supervised births at health facilities instead of at home, in an effort to reduce the country’s high rates of maternal and newborn deaths.

As part of its rural health facility support program in Simbu Province, the Foundation has been rolling out support to rural facilities, including the renovation of the Gomgale Health Centre to accommodate supervised births.

In its latest support, the Foundation delivered a clean water system and solar lighting to the health centre.

Community volunteers worked together to install the water tank and its stand on the roof of the facility.

The new water supply will provide clean and safe water for mothers during labour and for general clinic use, while the new solar lighting will allow health workers to attend to mothers at night.

The Foundation also uses incentivised programs such as “Baby Bundles” — containing clean delivery kits, baby clothes and hygiene items — to encourage mothers to seek skilled care during childbirth.

Sr Rose Minge, a community health worker on site, thanked Professor Mola and the Foundation, saying the water and lighting will greatly ease their work and encourage more mothers to come to the facility for safe delivery.

Rural health heroes at Boromil Health Centre in Gumine District now have a reason to smile after the Mola Foundation lit up the facility with solar power and improved its water supply.

Mahrryl Brown, representing the Mola Foundation, said that in Gumine District alone, the Foundation supports four facilities — Gomgale, Boromil, Dirima and Karilmaril — giving confidence and much-needed support to frontline rural health workers.

He said the team installed solar panels, lighting up the health centre, and set up an overhead tank with a full plumbing system this week — a major boost for the facility that serves mothers and children in the remote part of Konma.

Meanwhile, SiPHA has extended its heartfelt gratitude to the Mola Foundation for its invaluable partnership in advancing maternal and child health in Simbu Province.

SiPHA CEO Dr Ken Kassi, in a statement, said the support has strengthened frontline health services, empowered health workers and brought hope to mothers and children across communities.

Dr Mola Foundation’s key initiatives and focus areas are promoting supervised births, rural health facility support and incentivised programs that continue to build healthier families and a brighter future for Simbu.