Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

110808_MR_PNGDF and ADF with AusAID support, treat 698 patients in remote Central Province

8 August 2011


For immediate release

PNGDF and ADF with AusAID support, treat
698 patients in remote Central Province
 

Recently, 19 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers undertaking a range of training to join the Long Range Reconnaissance Unit completed the practical phase of a Combat Medic’s Course.

The soldiers headed to the Central and Gulf Provincial border to practise their new treatment skills on the local community from 30 July to 3 August 2011. The soldiers were taught and supervised by PNGDF medics; Sergeant (SGT) Jerry Aihi, SGT Alex Osoba, Private (PTE) Serah Yonny and PTE Meckthild Matalaharo, as well as two Australian Defence Force (ADF) medical personnel.

In conjunction with the local Catholic Health Service led by Sister Victoria, and the District Health Service led by Sister Rebecca and three local Community Health Workers, the soldiers tended to a total of 698 patients along the Akufa River and its tributaries, to the north-west of Bereina. The soldiers together with local health workers were based at Akufa and visited by boat and foot the villages of Inaukina, Malipoi, Maipa, Imounga, Ioi, Piunga and Engafa.

The soldiers attended to the wounds and diseases of the village people as well as assisting with recording ‘pikinini’ statistics. The local health workers treated people using medicines provided through the recent health centre and aid posts kit distribution supported by AusAID.

“It was great to see the medicine’s from the kits being used in the most hard to reach villages where people need them the most,” said Colin Wiltshire, AusAID’s representative in Central Province.

"It was a good example of co-operation between the PNGDF, the District Government and the Catholic Health Service and was greatly appreciated by the local people,” Warrant Officer Class Two Dave Turner of the ADF Defence Co-operation Program said.

Sister Victoria was effusive in her praise of the PNGDF soldiers and stated that their appearance was a blessing for the local community and hoped that they would return in the future.