16 village health volunteers graduate in North Fly

Sixteen more village health volunteers (VHVs) from villages in the upper Fly River catchment, in North Fly District, Western Province, have recently graduated.

This was made possible thanks to the North Fly District Health Services Development Program (NFHSDP).

The six-week training course ended with a week of practical and observation attachments to Kiunga Hospital before the VHV participants obtained their certificates.

NFHSDP’s rural health care coordinator, Kalabe Yabaimanta, said the training program was vital as VHVs are the first point of contact in rural areas for any health-related issue.

“These young VHVs will be the first point of contact where there is no health facility nearby or health worker available to assist patients.”

Yabaimanta expressed that the community-based program is seen as a self-sustaining program derived from the National Department of Health’s (NDoH) Healthy Island Concept and, if trained people volunteer to carry out health services, it will go a long way.

“You are trained to improve lives of your people, it is a commitment and always bear in mind that you are volunteering your services to help your community,” he explained to the graduands.

The Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) – Middle and South Fly health program’s primary health care manager, Eleanor Sullivan, said the six-week training was an intensive one and congratulated the eight female and eight male graduands.

“Congratulations to you all for completing this intensive training which has equipped you with the knowledge to improve your village, and I know you will make every effort to support those in need,” she said.

She explained to them that they will now be looked upon as role models in their villages and must take the lead.

“There are tasks we have set for you to do, like meeting with your community leaders so they understand your roles in the community and how you can assist them.”

VHV Freda Max said the training was challenging but it covered very important roles that VHVs can do in their villages to assist the community.

“The training covered topics like village birth attendants and other key components, including simple things like cleanliness and healthy practices that VHVs can encourage in their community,” Max explained.

North Fly District health manager, John Lari, conveyed the same sentiments saying: “You are now successfully trained to assist in delivering basic health services.

“Volunteers are key in the missing link between rural health facilities and the bigger facilities like clinics and hospitals; VHVs are empowered to drive rural health.”

Lari also clarified that the aid post in Gusiore has been duly registered with the NDoH and they will be on the medical supply listing.

“We are yet to receive the registration number from NDoH but that does not mean Gusiore will miss out on medical supplies - it will still be included.” 

NFHSDP is funded by Ok Tedi Mining Limited, while CMSFHP is funded by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation. Both programs are managed by OTDF and implemented by Abt Associates (formerly Abt JTA).

Author: 
Press release