Mothers from Tsinjipai village in Western Highlands Province can now use a nearby Community Health Post (CHP) to deliver babies.
The CHP was funded by the Asian Development Bank, AusAid and PNG Government at a cost of K3.7 Million.
It was officially opened and handed over to the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority on Tuesday in Tambul-Nebilyer electorate.
Tsinjipai Community Health Post is the second to be opened and handed over to the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority.
It has a mini-world class standard health post building, three staff houses, patient’s ablution block, a world class incinerator, fencing, and is solar-powered.
Two more CHP’s will soon be opened in the province, and once completed; Mt Hagen General Hospital will become the Highlands Regional referral Hospital.
WHPHA Deputy Chairman, Michael Pundia, said currently 40 per cent of the total budget of Mt Hagen General Hospital is being used to serve people from other Provinces like Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela, due to tribal fighting.
Pundia urged the National Health Department to increase their budget for Western Highlands to cater for the other Provinces.
The eight project Provinces to receive 4 CHP’s each are Milne Bay, West Sepik, West New Britain, Morobe, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Enga, Eastern Highlands, and Western Highlands Province.
They are funded by the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Government of PNG.
Its main focus is to reduce the high maternal mortality rate in PNG and to ensure communities have access to proper health services.
Health Secretary, Pascoe Kase, urged the local people to look after the facilities and the staff to receive other services in the long run.
More than 10,000 people at upper Nebilyer will have access to basic health care services from the Tsinjipai Community Health Post.
Those who attended the ceremony yesterday were representatives from ADB, DFAT, Prime Minister’s Office, Health Department and Provincial Government.
