Marie Stopes PNG recently opened its new service delivery outreach program in Hela Province.
The new outreach program base, supported by the Oil Search Foundation, is located at Pii Laydown Junction.
“The launch represents a major partnership exercise between MSPNG and the Hela Provincial Health Authority and is focused on supporting the maternal child health care needs in Hela under the Wok Bung Wantaim (WBW) initiative,” said Rodney Ingersoll, Oil Search Foundation’s Hela Provincial Development Manager.
“Lessons learned will be shared widely in a united effort towards improving front line service delivery.”
PNG continues to have some of the poorest health outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in terms of maternal and child health. Family planning is widely considered as one of the most cost-effective interventions to improve maternal health and promote sustainable population growth in PNG
“Due to many social and political issues, as well as the recent El Nino effects faced in the region, many people and businesses are discouraged to visit Hela,” said Doris Anton, Director, Hela Provincial Health.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to take ownership of and look after such projects that come into the province. Ownership serves as a key factor in accelerating the growth and development of an individual, a family unit or a community as a whole.”
MSPNG Service Delivery Director, Loretta Bele, said: “The MSPNG outreach team in Hela will serve all communities in the province, following a service delivery plan developed in collaboration with provincial health authorities. All services provided by the outreach teams are free of charge.”
Through the National Family Planning Training Programme (NFPTP), MSPNG will also train and support frontline health workers.
The NFPTP provides these workers with the knowledge and skills to provide quality, confidential and friendly family planning services in their various health facilities. MSPNG has already trained 14 health workers in Hela through the program.
MSPNG and the Oil Search Foundation enjoy a long and productive relationship in providing services to the people of Kikori (Gulf Province) and Nipa-Kutubu (Southern Highlands Province). Working with local authorities and local communities, the organisation looks forward to extending these services to the people of Hela Province.
Marie Stopes PNG is Papua New Guinea’s leading provider of family planning and sexual and reproductive health services.