Saturday, April 28, 2012

Lutheran Health Services Roles in the Remote Districts

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is truely the land of the unexpected, with its rugged terrain,fast flowing rivers and  risky geography. Unlike any other countries on this planet earth, PNG is blessed to have two worlds, the urban and the rural world. A land with a total inhabitants of 7 million people and 800 languages with a diversified culture. About 87% of these population lived in the rural districts. Given this geographical context, it makes it almost difficult for the government to deliver adequate essential services to its rural population. As such, the majority of the rural population are denied access to adequate government services like schools, health facilities, roads, clean water supply and sanitation and employment opportunities among others.

No wonder why PNG still has a low literacy rate, high maternal mortality, low living standard,collapse in the health system and low life expectancy comapred to other neighbouring Pacific island countries. None-the-less,the presence of churches and  their work in the districts is a great relief and beneficial to the rural population. The churches delivered vital services in health, education, agriculture and water supply where government services are unreachable. They reach people right into the remotest parts of the country.The Churches Health Services (CHS) is a significant partner with the government to provide basic health services mostly to the rural areas.Further, CHS provides more than 64% of the rural health services. They provide mostly Aidpost, Urban clinics, Health Centres, Health Centres and Rural Hospitals. In addition, CHS also run five General Nursing colleges out of the seven colleges and all the Community Health Workers (CHW) training schools in PNG.


A mother seeking treatment at Braun Memorial Hospital in Finschhafen
Among other churches that provide health services in PNG, Lutheran Health Services (LHS) is one that must be commended for delivering quality health services to the rural majority and the urban disadvantaged. Despite setbacks and challenges with limited resources, the Lutheran Health Services continues to provide high quality health services and is truely a silent achiever. Patients that have gone through their health facilities have experienced and truely saw Jesus Healing Ministry in action. You will find some highly skilled, qualified and dedicated yet humble doctors, nurses, administrators and laboratory technicians in their health facilties. Mind you,these professionals are paid much lower than the government counterparts,but humbly continue to provide quality health services. The Lutheran Health Services are located in  the Highlands, Morobe, Madang, Sepik and Niugini Island. They also provide one General Nursing School and two Community Health Worker training schools.

Transporting medical supplies on a hired PMV to Mindik HC in Finschhafen
Despite poor road access in the districts, LHS strive to provide a health service that is easily accessible, affordable, and appropriate to the rural majority and urban disadvantaged. They do whatever it takes to improve the health status of the rural people. The accessibility to health services in a LHS health facility is very simple in nature. Not so much process and procedures are required when a patient enters their health facility. LHS undoubtedly plays a very significant role by providing the much needed health services in the remote districts. .

3 comments:

  1. Brother this is beautiful. Best complement to you for the insight of the Health Services in Rural Parts of Papua New Guinea.



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  3. Mr. Marme, to serve with church health services is most definitely a selfless call.

    It was great to be once a part of LHS

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