Aid Post

Of the 352 aid posts, 138 have been closed, according to a December 2023 report by the public health division of the Morobe Provincial Health Authority.

This is 46 per cent of the village health posts in the most populous and largest province.

In addition to that, the province has 55 health facilities in its 10 districts: 11 in Lae, 8 in Bulolo, 7 in Finschhafen while Kabwum, Menyamya and Tewai-Siassi have 6 each. Huon Gulf and Nawaeb have 4 each and Markham has 3. Most of them are in a rundown state and lack proper equipment and medical supplies.

This initiative is a collaborative effort by Save the Children’s Safe Children Healthy Mothers (SCHM) nutrition project, in partnership with the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority (PHA) and the local Sarkim community.

This commissioned aid post promises to have a profound impact on the health and nutrition of the approximately 1,300 residents of this remote community. Previously, they endured a grueling 2.5-hour trek to access medical services at the Wombisa or Kaukia Health Facility, leading to significant healthcare challenges.

Boroi village, in Yawar Local Level government (LLG) in the Bogia District of Madang Province is five hours’ drive away from Madang town and is one of the rural communities’ that is attempting to combat such challenges. Transport and distance to the nearest health centre is also a big issue faced by the community.