Kofi Assan
THE Fugwa Health Centre is located in a remote part
of the Koroba-Kopiago District in Hela Province and is situated approximately
25kms from the Oil Search Hides (Nogoli) base camp.
The health centre was founded by the Wesleyan Church over 60 years ago and is still well maintained today.
A very limited but dedicated number of staff work at the health centre – one health extension officer and four nurses provide basic health services for the people of the North Koroba area.
Earlier this year, Oil Search, through its health foundation, began a partnership with the health centre that would
produce remarkable results for HIV services and help keep the workers safe.
As part of the Global Fund Project to support the PNG National HIV Strategy, Oil Search Health Foundation conducted provider - initiator testing and counselling training for health workers, including one from Fugwa Health Centre.
The training can greatly assist with the uptake of HIV testing as well as improve access to health services for people living with HIV and also create opportunities for HIV prevention.
Within the first six months after the training in March, Fugwa Health Centre has conducted more than 1200 HIV tests.
“What is special about Fugwa is the staff’s commitment to their work and the sense of ownership and respect that the Fugwa community have for their health facility and the workers there,” says Ruby Kenny, Oil Search HIV Program Supervisor for Tari.
“They took control and ownership of the HIV service in such a short time span and this is something that we are putting more effort into encouraging for the other facilities as well,” Ms Kenny said.
Before the HIV testing service was introduced, the Fugwa health centre workers had no way of knowing the HIV status of their patients.
Hela is one of the nine HIV high burden provinces in PNG.
“This is just not acceptable to us,” says Peter Botten, Oil Search Managing Director who recently visited the Fugwa health centre to congratulate staff and celebrate with them their successes so far.
Mr Botten was given a tour of the health centre by Rebecca Puruma, the health extension officer and officer in charge. He was impressed with the facilities and the level of dedication and enthusiasm shown by the staff of the Fugwa health centre.
Ms Puruma, a local, is the only health extension officer serving in the Koroba-Kopiago district, yet she leads a highly dynamic team that has shown exceptional passion and commitment to participate in all aspects of the program, including HIV community awareness, condom distribution and HIV counselling and testing.
Mr Botten praised the staff for their efforts and also encouraged his team on the ground to continue the good work.
Two foundation care and prevention officers Anton Thomas and Kevin Gordon have been conducting weekly support visits to Fugwa Health Centre over the last six months to assist Ms Puruma and her team. They carry out HIV testing and counselling, complete monthly HIV reports, organise referrals, and procure of testing consumables.
“We have a great team who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of ordinary men, women and children and it is fantastic to be here today to witness some of the results of this partnership,” said Mr Botten.
Oil Search through its well established community affairs programme also supplies fuel each month for the Fugwa health centre generator.
The fuel which is supplied free of charge ensures there is reliable power to help with deliveries at night and to also keep immunisation cool in the fridge.
The health centre was founded by the Wesleyan Church over 60 years ago and is still well maintained today.
A very limited but dedicated number of staff work at the health centre – one health extension officer and four nurses provide basic health services for the people of the North Koroba area.
Earlier this year, Oil Search, through its health foundation, began a partnership with the health centre that would
produce remarkable results for HIV services and help keep the workers safe.
As part of the Global Fund Project to support the PNG National HIV Strategy, Oil Search Health Foundation conducted provider - initiator testing and counselling training for health workers, including one from Fugwa Health Centre.
The training can greatly assist with the uptake of HIV testing as well as improve access to health services for people living with HIV and also create opportunities for HIV prevention.
Within the first six months after the training in March, Fugwa Health Centre has conducted more than 1200 HIV tests.
“What is special about Fugwa is the staff’s commitment to their work and the sense of ownership and respect that the Fugwa community have for their health facility and the workers there,” says Ruby Kenny, Oil Search HIV Program Supervisor for Tari.
“They took control and ownership of the HIV service in such a short time span and this is something that we are putting more effort into encouraging for the other facilities as well,” Ms Kenny said.
Before the HIV testing service was introduced, the Fugwa health centre workers had no way of knowing the HIV status of their patients.
Hela is one of the nine HIV high burden provinces in PNG.
“This is just not acceptable to us,” says Peter Botten, Oil Search Managing Director who recently visited the Fugwa health centre to congratulate staff and celebrate with them their successes so far.
Mr Botten was given a tour of the health centre by Rebecca Puruma, the health extension officer and officer in charge. He was impressed with the facilities and the level of dedication and enthusiasm shown by the staff of the Fugwa health centre.
Ms Puruma, a local, is the only health extension officer serving in the Koroba-Kopiago district, yet she leads a highly dynamic team that has shown exceptional passion and commitment to participate in all aspects of the program, including HIV community awareness, condom distribution and HIV counselling and testing.
Mr Botten praised the staff for their efforts and also encouraged his team on the ground to continue the good work.
Two foundation care and prevention officers Anton Thomas and Kevin Gordon have been conducting weekly support visits to Fugwa Health Centre over the last six months to assist Ms Puruma and her team. They carry out HIV testing and counselling, complete monthly HIV reports, organise referrals, and procure of testing consumables.
“We have a great team who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of ordinary men, women and children and it is fantastic to be here today to witness some of the results of this partnership,” said Mr Botten.
Oil Search through its well established community affairs programme also supplies fuel each month for the Fugwa health centre generator.
The fuel which is supplied free of charge ensures there is reliable power to help with deliveries at night and to also keep immunisation cool in the fridge.
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