The Oil Search Foundation (OSF) and Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea (EC PNG) have renewed a partnership agreement to work together to contribute to health service delivery in Southern Highlands Province (SHP), as governed by the SHP Provincial Health Authority (PHA).
It is the mandated role of the Government of PNG, through the National Department of Health to make sure that healthcare reaches the people across the country.
Faith based and non-government organisations play a critical role in this effort, through a Church Health Partnership Agreement with the PNG Government.
Development and private sector organisations also support the Government to deliver services, by partnering and supporting PHAs, church managed and NGO run facilities.
EC PNG has been operating health and community aid posts in Kutubu for decades. To strengthen their capacity in serving the rural areas around the Southern Highlands, OSF has signed a partnership agreement to ensure these services are maintained.
Senior Health Advisor, Dr Vincent Pyakalyia said, “OSF and SH PHA, recognise that EC PNG has the resources, skills and expertise, hence this partnership will reinforce the delivery of effective and accountable practice.
“OSF will support the EC PNG run health facilities in Kutubu, to ensure services continue to be provided” adds Pyakalyia.
SH PPHA CEO Dr Joseph Birisi said, “Strategic partnerships with church health organisations are crucial, especially during these challenging economic times.”
“We have been successful in approving 24 positions through the Department of Personnel Management, for Health Extension Officers, Nurses, and Community Health Workers, who will be paid by the SH PHA but embedded in strategic church health facilities across the province. This relationship with EC PNG and OSF will strengthen the provision of medical-care.”
EC PNG General Secretary and Chairman of National Medical Board, Mr Samuel Awaisa said, “Good relationships with support from government and other key partners are crucial to the survival of the church health services.
We are grateful to OSF for understanding the hardships and difficulties we face in delivering primary care. Your help will ensure there is on-going support for our people.”
