ADB, partners deliver improved health services in Balam, Papua New Guinea

ADB, partners deliver improved health services in Balam, Papua New Guinea

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Government of Australia, Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) National Department of Health, and the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority participated in an inauguration ceremony for the opening of the Balam Community Health Post, built under the Rural Primary Health Services Delivery Project.

The project, supported by ADB, the governments of Australia and PNG, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for International Development, is delivering high quality health services to PNG’s rural population across 8 provinces, namely East Sepik, Eastern Highlands, Milne Bay, Enga, Western Highlands, West New Britain, Morobe, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The main beneficiaries are women and children.

“The Balam Community Health Post is the 24th health post to be built by the project,” said ADB Director General for the Pacific Ms. Carmela Locsin. “The strategic partnerships in this project, supported by ADB funding and technical assistance, have facilitated the extension and strengthening of essential health care services in rural and remote areas of PNG.”

As well as delivering high-quality primary health care to PNG’s rural population, the project is upgrading health facilities, developing national health policies, facilitating sustainable partnerships between provincial governments and non-state actors, training health professionals, and promoting health care in local communities.

Original source: ADB
Published on 18 September 2019