New Kaugere health centre opened

Caption: Pulling of the ribbon to open the center conducted by (R) Prime Minister O’Neill, Justin Tkatchenko and Powes Parkop.  

Caption: Inspection of the health center by the PM and other dignitries.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, August 24, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)




WHAT started off as a mission to attend to minor health issues in the community of Kaugere in the Moresby South electorate has now been turned to a brand new health center for the community of Kaugere last week, courtesy of multi partnerships forged with the aim of providing quality healthcare.

The brand new Kaugere Health Center started off with humble beginnings by the Living Light Foursquare Gospel Church Ministries 15 years ago in a garage to attend to minor health issues in the community.

Through the initiative and drive of Member for Moresby South and minister for Sport Justin Tkatchenko with the support of NCD Governor Powes Parkop and various partners- the K1.5 million health facility now boasts an emergency service, an outpatient ward with six beds, doctor’s clinic, dental clinic, family health services, and TB and STI clinics.

Fitted with medical equipment to the value over half a million kina, the center will now cater effectively for the thirty to forty thousand members of the community it will serve.

In his welcome speech, Reverend for the Church and CEO of the new center, Rodney Tomuriesa thanked his local member, governor, and the national government for their foresight and recognition of the work of the church and the clinic

“One of the positive things that happened two years ago is when the government recognized Kaugere clinic as an Urban Clinic and took onboard our staff salaries under the government payroll,” Rev Tomuriesa said.

“I commend the department of health and the O’Neill-Dion Government for this initiative, along with what our Member of Parliament Justin Tkatchenko has done in extending, renovating and equipping the Kaugere Health Centre.”

“Government church partnership is a great program and we commit ourselves to work together with you and member for Port Moresby South and the governor for NCD to continue to provide favor and provision upon the church in particular upon our health services ministry.”

MP Justin Tkatchenko paid tribute to the work of the church, despite the difficulties; he said that they were faithful and dedicated to the cause.

“When I first got elected for Moresby South I visited Pastor Rodney and saw his setup here, and the health clinic was just a single garage that was parking their ambulances,” Tkatchenko recalled.

“It had bed sheets as dividers and they were taking about 80 patients a day into the shed which has now been fully converted.”

“The nurses and the dedicated staff were not being paid for months, literally months- they were doing it from their hearts. “

“We are doing this for our people in the Moresby South Electorate, now this just shows you how strong these people are, and how dedicated they were to our people.”

He also acknowledged the support and partnership of the NCD governor and the Sir Theo Constantinou Foundation.

“Through our DSIP funds, the governor and I committed K500,000 each and Sir Theo Constantinou through his foundation committed another K500,000 to build this facility,” Mr Tkatchenko said.

“There wasn’t any proper medical equipment so thanks to steamships and paradise palm properties they have K200,000 to medical equipment, which I topped up through DSIP with an additional K395,000 for us to buy brand new medical equipment from New Zealand.”

“Moresby South has never had a permanent doctorand qualified doctor, and care was provided onlyby nurses and sisters but we needed a permanent doctor who would refer them to Port Moresby General Hospital.”

“Through the Sir Theo Foundation we already have a contribution of K100,000 we now have a permanent doctor here at Kaugere Clinic.”

Prime Minister Peter O’Niell was present to open the new facilty, said that the occasion was not only for Kaugere but also for Papua New Guinea.

“This is a very good example of the partnership that we are able to do with the church, the private sector, and individuals within it,” Prime Minister O’Neill said.

“We are able to achieve great things like what we a now here to witness in the opening of the Kaugere health center because of the partnerships we have been able forge.”

“Many times in the past we have been having lip service where such partnerships were non-existent, and as a result there was a decline in services that our people have suffered because of it for many years.

He said that funding that were being giving to the districts and provinces were now starting to work- miracles across the country.