Over the last 10 years, little has changed in relation to public health outcomes for women and children across PNG.
According to Susu Mamas, PNG still has one of the highest mortality rates for children under five years of age in the Western Pacific Region.
Susu Mamas is a registered national non-government organisation providing free integrated primary health care services, including maternal and child health services in a number of urban health facilities and mobile rural outreach services.
The service provider says maternal health indicators, despite the national and priority policy focus, have seen minimal changes. Low rates of supervised deliveries and antenatal care (ANC) coverage remains a significant cause for concern.
Susu Mamas notes the government’s commitment to improving public health services through its National Health Plan 2011-2020 and the implementation of the Free Primary Health Care Policy (2014). However, it says reaching those most in need in the rural areas (87 percent of PNG’s population live in rural areas) and those most disadvantaged in urban areas, remains a significant challenge.
Despite these challenges, Susu Mamas PNG reached over 118,000 people in 2016 with free primary health care services.
To date, it carries its mobile rural outreach services in Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Morobe and Central provinces.
Susu Mamas’ PNG-key services
1. Urban Health Facilities
2. Joint Services
3. Rural Outreach Health Services – mobile clinics
4. Training Health Care Workers
5. Health Information & Appointments 7200 6262 - Clients can use Digicel Toll Free Health Information Line to make an appointment at a health centre from 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
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Locations:
Western Highlands Province, Jiwaka Province
Mt Hagen
Health facilities located in Hagen town and Kagamuga (Airport) health facility
Eastern Highlands Province
Goroka – Health facility located at Goroka East
Morobe Province
Lae – Health facility located within Morobe Showgrounds and One-Mile Health Centre.
National Capital District & Central Province
Port Moresby – Health facility located within Port Moresby General Hospital grounds.