‘Little Doctors’ in Bougainville

The Red Cross in Bougainville is now the first in Papua New Guinea to introduce little doctors, where primary school-aged children are taught basic first aid.

 Officially launched by NCD Governor Powes Parkop last week, two primary schools, Lontis Primary School and Petats primary, are the first two schools to have little doctors.

The Little Doctors concept is similar to the ones first introduced in India and Bangladesh and recently in Indonesia, in the aftermath of tsunamis that devastated these countries.

PNG Red Cross Bougainville sought permission from the program concept developer, Inovision LTD, following the successful implementation of the concept under the brand name health and hygiene program in the city of Port Moresby.

Little Doctors is a subcomponent of Inovision LTD health and hygiene program targeting school children in primary schools.

According to Bougainville Red Cross coordinator, Stanley Azagun, the Little Doctors Program involves the following: Basic first aid training, disaster and emergency, community outreach program, mobile medical clinic and paralegal training, where children are taught basic human rights enshrined in the national constitution.

Governor Parkop, when launching the program, said it is a good educational concept.

“I for one am sure this will go a long way for Bougainville and I will also make sure it will be implemented in Port Moresby,” Parkop said.

(Little Doctors at their launching in Buka Town Bel Isi Park)

Author: 
Peterson Tseraha