Raikos health facilities receive medical drugs

Two health facilities in Madang's Raikos District have become lucky recipients of medical drugs, worth K70, 000

The medicines were recently distributed to Ileg and Saidor health centres.

Funds for the medicines were raised through this year's annual charity golf event that is usually sponsored by Kumul Minerals Holding Ltd.

The Mineral Resources Authority donated a further K100, 000 towards the charity event.

President of Madang Golf, George Ireng said fifty thousand of the K100, 000 was also used to buy medicines, whilst the other half went to the purchase of medical equipment, all of which were distributed between Ileg, Saidor and Biliau health centres.

He explained Biliau was included because it has a large catchment area and was in dire need of medicines.

Ireng added that health workers at the three facilities were overwhelmed with the donation, which they said was timely and should take them through Christmas and to the New Year.

Mr Ireng and Robert Turik, President of the Madang Country Club, travelled with the delivery team to the district about a fortnight ago, and said they were happy with the support from all sponsors towards this worthy cause.

Esther Kana, a Community Health Worker at Saidor Health Centre, said the shortage of medical drugs is a serious problem that is faced by all health facilities in Raikos District since last year, and the intervention was highly appreciated.

At Bilia, a female nursing officer said the donation was unexpected.

She revealed that the only medicine they've had at Bilia for many months was Mala 1 and no anti- biotics, not even the basic everyday drugs.

Proceeds from last year's charity golf was used to assist Gaubin Rural Hospital on Karkar Island.