Image: HMSD students handing over the draft copy of the proposal to a staff member of the Idi nad Clinic in Madang.
Community organisations in the Madang and Simbu provinces have received project proposals from Health Management and System Development (HMSD) program from the Divine Word University (DWU).
A total of 29 students undertook a 15-week job placement with these organisations and developed a proposal based on a health problem faced by that organisation.
The proposals, each contain activities worth K10, 000 were developed and presented to the seven organisations, who will then submit to respective funding agencies for funding.
The Project Planning and Design unit lecturer, Kingston Namun says this partnership between DWU and community partners is part of DWU’s Community Engagement Program.
“This Objective Oriented Planning tool provides an opportunity for health managers in PNG’s health system to develop proposals that meet donor or government funding requirements,” says Mr Namun.
Namun elaborated further that HMSD department encourages their students to use tools under the guidance of DWU core values, begin to help local community organisations.
“Our small contributions to the community fulfils Objective 7.4 of DWU’s Third Decade Strategic Master Plan 2016-2026 and seeks to also fulfil Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where DWU plays a role in helping build capacity of local organisations in the country,” adds Namun.
HMSD final year student, Nelson Samuel said that it was an honour and privilege to have worked with local organisations.
“It was a win-win situation where we helped build the capacity of the local organisation to develop the proposal and at the same time, they have helped us with information and data on the issues they face,” says Samuel.
The organisations were:
- Creative Self Help Centre (Madang);
- Country’s Women’s Association (Madang);
- Idi nad Clinic (Madang);
- Haus Bung Dropin Centre (Madang);
- Murunas Seventh Day Adventist Church (Madang);
- DWU Physiotherapy Clinic (Madang); and
- Salt Development Foundation (Simbu).
Source: DWU Press Release
