by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Health is one of the major areas of importance that needs more attention from the government, respective organisations plus individual support to improve operations, facilities and services that are provided in the country.
Amongst other key players, organisations and NGOs who collaborate to provide better health services, World Vision PNG is one that is also committed to improving health and nutritional status in the country.
As part of its vision to improve the health and nutritional status of mothers, children and new born babies, World Vision PNG has implemented the PNG Health and Nutritional Project in target communities including Madang, Morobe, Port Moresby and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
With funding support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and World Vision Australia, the implementation of the project in these targeted areas has been successful.
As part of their program, the World Vision PNG Health and Nutritional Project team recently visited Bari and Botola villages in Bogia, Madang province, conducting awareness and training in the remote communities on health and nutrition.
Bari Community leader Joe Seggie, when commending the project said “It’s good to know about what is contained in the foods we eat and how it helps our body work. This is knowledge for some of us who passed out of school a long time ago.”
The team ran awareness sessions on the different types of food and their food groups, the kind of substance present in each food group and how each substance helps the body function.
The knowledge gained from the training provided has been given positive feedback from those who took part. This will help them understand the type of food they consume to assist them in their quest for healthy living.
The free health awareness provided through this project will help many illiterates understand the importance of eating a healthy diet.
Project Officer, Errinol Polengi, said the training conducted was “a very informative and participatory session which generated a lot of male participation.
He added that it was so much fun seeing children and parents participate in the activities and discussions.
