After nearly a decade of silence, the possibility of reviving basic healthcare services in the remote station of Kabore in Sandaun Province has been rekindled, following a significant visit by the Sepik Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Health Services team. 

The journey began on Sunday, April 6, when a delegation from the Sepik Mission departed from Wewak and embarked on a gruelling six-hour drive to Lumi Station. The team, led by Mr. Daiven Watio, Health Director of the Sepik Mission, and Pastor Michael Lus, Director of the Sepik School of Pastoral Ministry (SSPM), spent the night in Lumi before pushing further into the rugged terrain of inland Sandaun. 

On Monday morning, the team departed from a logging base camp and trekked for hours across challenging terrain, finally arriving in Wisol village by 3:00pm. There they were welcomed by villagers, including Chief James Taru and local missionary Philip Wewe, who has been voluntarily serving in the area.

A small gathering was held that evening at the village hausman, where community leaders expressed their deep concerns over the prolonged closure of their nearest clinic at Kabore Station. The clinic has been non-operational for almost ten years following the passing of its last health worker. Villagers now have to walk a full day to reach the nearest functioning health centre—an ordeal that has led to preventable deaths and ongoing health issues. 

“The need is real, and the burden is heavy,” said Mr. Watio, after listening to the villagers’ pleas. He outlined the necessary procedures and protocols required for the reopening of the clinic and encouraged the community to work closely with missionary Wewe, who will serve as the liaison between the village and the health department. 

“This visit marks the first time since 2016 that a service provider has reached this community,” he added. “It is our mission to ensure no one is left behind—whether in the urban centres or the remotest corners of our region.”

After spending the night in Wisol, the team commenced the arduous return journey on Tuesday morning. With the assistance of local villagers, who carried their gear, they made the four-hour descent back to the base camp and then continued by vehicle to Wewak.

The visit has brought a renewed sense of hope to the villagers of Kapore, whose smiles and prayers showed deep gratitude for the visit. It also marks a significant step forward in reconnecting neglected communities to essential health services.

The Sepik Mission Health Services team says they are committed to supporting the people of Kabore in their efforts to restore the clinic and will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable health care solutions are explored and delivered.

The successful outreach to Kapore sends a clear message: the work of healing and restoration knows no boundaries. Guided by faith and a purpose-driven mission, the Sepik Mission continues reaching the unreached – leave no one behind.

The Papua New Guinea Christian Health Services (CHS) team has completed a financial audit of the Sepik Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Health Services, highlighting both commendable accounting practices and critical operational challenges. The audit, conducted over two days in East Sepik Province, comes as the health service faces a dire financial situation, with operational funds nearly depleted and wages at risk of running out.

The CHS team, led by CEO Mr. Ulch Tapia, included Finance Manager Mr. David Langer, Financial Accountant Mr. Daniel Yalinus, and Technical Correspondence Officer Mr. Joel. They worked alongside SDA Health Director Mr. Daiven Watio and Accounts Officer Mr. Pedro Sapui to review the accounts.

While the team praised the accounting performance, they identified several areas needing immediate attention. These include an inadequate filing system, insufficient office space for the health accountant, and irregularities in timesheets for administrative, clinical, and ancillary staff.

The audit was conducted to ensure proper acquittals for previous years, as CHS funding has been withheld for the past three years. The team emphasized that resolving these issues is crucial for the release of the withheld funds, which are urgently needed to sustain health services in the province.

Sepik SDA Health Services is currently in a critical financial state. Operational funds are almost exhausted, and the wages account is insufficient to maintain operations for much longer. The CHS team urged the SDA Sepik Mission’s Chief Financial Officer to address these challenges promptly to restore funding and ensure the continuity of essential health services.

The visit underscores the importance of financial accountability and operational efficiency in maintaining the delivery of healthcare services in East Sepik Province.

Yangoru-Saussia, East Sepik Province – The Witipi Sub-Health Centre, a facility operated by the Sepik SDA Mission, has recently expanded its services with the opening of a new staff house. This addition will allow for the appointment of an additional health worker, specifically a female health worker to address the critical needs of women and children in the region.

Hon. Richard Maru, MP for Yangoru-Saussia, officially opened the new staff house. Minister Maru also announced plans for further improvements to the health centre, including the installation of electricity and the construction of an ablution block.

The Witipi Sub-Health Centre, located deep in the heart of the Sepik Plains, serves 12 villages across the region. Previously, residents often had to carry their sick on foot for hours to reach other health facilities.

The Sepik SDA Mission is committed to working in partnership with the government and local communities to improve access to quality healthcare. With the addition of this new staff house, the Witipi Sub-Health Centre is better equipped to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including antenatal care, deliveries, and women's health.

Wewak, Papua New Guinea – Elder Daiven Watio, the Director of Sepik SDA Health Services, recently presented a comprehensive report on the operations of Adventist Health Services in the Sepik Mission to the Executive Committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The presentation took place at the Boutique Inn Hotel.

The report provided a detailed overview of the various healthcare facilities managed by Sepik SDA Health Services within the region. It highlighted the significant contributions made by these facilities in providing essential healthcare services to the local community.

Elder Watio emphasized the dedication and hard work of the healthcare professionals working within the Sepik Mission. He expressed gratitude for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people in the region.

The agreement forms a partnership between Provincial Health Authorities and Christian Health Services to enhance healthcare, especially in underserved areas. The government will fund church-run facilities, while church agencies manage operations for efficient service delivery. It sets specific health services, standards, and performance metrics, with monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability. This collaboration aims to significantly improve health outcomes where they are needed most.

The president of the Sepik Mission of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Henry Monape, was also present to witness this significant agreement.

This collaborative approach is expected to maximize the reach and impact of health services in the greater Sepik Region, heralding a new era in the delivery of healthcare. The partnership is ready to address the challenges faced by rural and underserved communities, ensuring that quality health services are accessible to all.

Project Team:

 * Kelvin Kemba, IT Specialist, PNG Union Mission (PNGUM): Led the VSAT disk installation and setup.

 * John Koinamba, Electrician and Generator Specialist: Played a vital role in installing the solar panels, upgrading the system to handle the VSAT disk's load, and assisting with the VSAT disk setup.

 * Scannah Aris, Human Resources Officer, Sepik SDA Health Services: Provided on-site support.

 * Kenneth Muo, Health Information Officer, Sepik SDA Health Services: Offered on-site assistance.

This week, the Sepik SDA Health Services hosted a successful Health & Wellness Training at the mission headquarters in Wewak Hill!

Participants, including health workers and community members, joined forces to learn how to combat the rise of lifestyle diseases in Papua New Guinea. 🇵🇬

Led by the Health Promotion Officer, Mr. Ibbis Malaitom, and the Wellness Clinic sister-in-charge, Mrs. Patricia Malaitom, the program provided valuable training on:

Selecting healthy, natural, and organic foods

Food preparation techniques for nutritious meals

This training equips participants with the knowledge and skills to make positive changes in their own lives and promote a culture of health within their communities.

#HealthierTogether #SepikSDAHealthServices #SepikMission #WewakHill #LifestyleDiseases #Wellness #PapuaNewGuinea