Western Province

The Western Provincial Health authorities had condemned the facility after many detainees in the prison had suffered from serious illnesses.

Since 2019, little to no support has come has come forth when the facility will be improved and maintained.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the CS institute struggles to keep in line with the measures, which jail authorities believe will be hard to manage, unless government support comes home soon.

Daru Acting Jail Commander, Lena Apuri says they are still waiting for funding from South Fly and Western Provincial Administration.

Coupled with the lack of basic services in water and electricity supply on the island is even a serious issue for its local government to address. Several residents have raised concerns and are hoping something is done.

Daru Hospital CEO, Dr Niko Wuatai confirmed the shortage of medicine and said some money was recently allocated to buy medicine supply in Port Moresby and they are still waiting.

He said there is no proper process in place to fast track the purchase of medicines as he just joined the hospital and is not aware of the process involved.

The team of volunteers onboard will be working in collaboration with local health workers, Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA), PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP), Australian Aid, and World Vision to assist with the COVID-19 response and to deliver childhood immunisations.

YWAM Medical Ships Australia & Papua New Guinea Managing Director, Ken Mulligan, said he is greatly encouraged to have the ship back in Western Province.

Principal at Bekabeka Adventist High School Encie Dionie confirmed to SIBC News that the houses are the principal’s residence which she is residing in and the school canteen. She said a majority of staff houses have also partially collapsed. 

A school tank also fell to the ground and broke. 

“The earthquake is swift but strong but if it shook for a little longer, definitely all the houses would crumble to the ground.

Mrs Dionie said currently all the houses are leaning on one side and dangerous for staff to live in because their posts are all rotten.   

On September 25^th, it came to a critical situation where the Kiunga General Hospital had to close its operation due to some hospital staff catching COVID-19. This had caused the public to start seeking medical attention at the PNGDF Forward Operating Base Regimental Aid Post.

When seeing the increase of patients from nearby communities, the PNGDF team Bravo Company members was prompted to go out to help the Western Province Health Authority to conduct awareness to people in Kiunga and villages situated along the road to Tabubil.

The Prime Minister said this in response to the request of the Member for Western Province, Toboi Awi Yoto to transfer the state’s shares to the people pf Western Province.

He said the entire country, not just the Western Province has needs. PM Marape emphasized that it is essential that resources be shared equally throughout the country.

The former O’Neill government had decided that one third in shares would go back to the people of Western Province and two-thirds to the State.

PM Marape said he believed this to be a fair call and thus has actioned that decision.

OTDF Chief Executive Officer Havini Vira said, “Save the Children PNG is a recognised NGO, one of the biggest here in PNG that do a lot of work in the development space. They will provide tremendous technical support to OTDF’s Community Development programs. Having well established networks with schools in Western is a bonus in this arrangement.”

Mr Vira said SCPNG have trained professionals who can provide OTDF the needed support to effectively deliver service in communities captured under the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA).

The SDP said prior to installing their satellite dish and internet connection, the villagers of Habi in Western Province had to walk three hours to Mougulu through the rough mountain terrain for medical help. 

School principal Amos Kupaloma said establishing a new nursing school in the province will strengthen its health service, and those in the rural areas can be better served.

“The ground work which started in 2020 is progressing well nearing completion in 2022 where the infrastructures will be supported by Fly River Provincial Government and other stakeholders,” Mr Kupaloma said.

He said infrastructure includes four staff houses, an administration building, E-library, two dormitories and an extension of a classroom building for students.

The Budget, submitted by Governor Taboi Awi Yoto, consists of National Government grants of K236 million, and internal revenue (mostly from the resources sector) of K226.7 million.

Ling-Stuckey complimented Governor Yoto on the focus of the budget, which reflects the Marape-Basil Government’s agenda for national economic and social development.

He said he and the Treasury would work closely with the Governor and his provincial administration to ensure that the 2021 provincial budget is delivered according to plan.