BY KENNY ROMANUS in DARU, Western Province
The grand opening event of the Teapopo Health Project which took place on Tuesday, 27th August 2024 in Teapopo village, South Fly District of Western Province was a monumental occasion that drew an astounding crowd of over 22,000 people from the Fly Kiwai LLG to witness this occasion. The enthusiastic turnout amplifies the community’s strong support and anticipation for this transformative healthcare initiative.
The facility was programmed to be officially opened by the Minister for Health Dr Tom Lino, but due to Ministers hectic schedule, he did not make it in time to travel with the delegates. In his absence, the Minister for Works & Highways Hon. Solan Mirisim stepped in to officially open the Teapopo Health Clinic and Staff House Project.
The event was filled with excitement with a massive turnout of over 22,000 attendees, which reflected the community’s deep compassion and appreciation for the investment in the Teapopo Health Clinic and Staff House Project.
The venue was flooded with KPHL merchandise, symbolizing the essential financial backing provided by KPHL to make this critical healthcare project a reality.
State Ministers, MPs and dignitaries in attendance were; Governor for Western Province Hon.Taboi Awai Yoto, Minister for Livestock and Member for South Fly District Hon.Seki Agisa, Minister for Defence and Member for Nipa Kutubu District Hon. Dr Billy Joseph, Minister for Energy & Petroleum, and Member for Kerema District Hon. Thomas Opa, Minister for Works & Highways, and Member for Telefomin District Hon. Solan Mirisim and KPHL’s Executive Manager for Cooperate Affairs Mr Luke Liria standing in on behalf of the Managing Director Mr Wapu Sonk, including local government officials, project stakeholders, and community leaders who graced the event to witness the official inauguration of the health facility.
Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) Provincial Coordinator, Mrs. Galeva Sere on behalf of the CEO Dr. Mirriam Boga stated that reopening the Teapopo Health Centre has been a goal for WPHA but due to the limited health funding and having to manage the 175 facilities from lever 1 to level 5 has always been a huge challenge for WPHA to salvage alone. WPHA is truly grateful and offers its deepest appreciates to Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, the Marape-Rosso Government, the Fly River Provincial Government and the South Fly District Development Authority, for this strategic and massive investment in resurrecting the Teapopo Health Centre which is a testament of greater collaboration in partnership.
On the 28th of June, the facility was soft launched to the WPHA, after the contactor completed the project within the duration of four (4) months. Two (2) Community Health Workers (CHWs) were immediately posted to the facility to begin the healthcare services with the provision of essential pharmaceutical suppliers procured by the contractor whilst awaiting the official opening. In the last 60 days, the facility had recorded a total admission of 516 patients coming from 22 villages in the Fly Kiwai LLG, 240 male and 276 females with common illnesses of Skin Diseases, Pneumonia and Respiratory diseases and Malaria. The CHWs did a first antenatal delivery of a baby boy weighting 3.2kg on the 18th of August and the second delivery was done on the 25th of August at the eve of the grand opening was a baby girl weighing 3.4kg, it symbolizes a significant milestone of the Teapopo Health Clinic. The third staff posted to the facility on the day of the opening was the Health Extension Office (HEO) to head the Clinic.
Mr. Luke Liria, Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs for KPHL, acknowledges the partnership forged with the Fly River Provincial Government and understands the desire for the people of Teapopo and the surrounding communities to access vital health care services due to the absences of essential healthcare for almost a decade . Mr. Liria also commended the Dokana Papua Construction Limited for their tireless efforts in delivering the project within the period four months, encountering the logistical challenges of delivery this significant project in one the remote location of the province. Mr Liria affirms KPHL,’s core values and mission to give back to the people, having been one of the partners that is working alongside the national government in delivering and improving health care services for the people throughout the country.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by Hon. Solan Mirisim and KPHL’s Executive General Manager Cooperate Affirs Mr Luke Liria in the presence of the State Ministers and the Governor of Western Province marked the commencement of operations at the Teapopo Health Project, signifying the beginning of a new era in healthcare provision for the Fly Kiwai LLG regions from Manawette, Dudi and Kiwaba which directly falls under the Ok Tedi Mining’s impact catchment areas for the Fly Delta Riverine Communities. A timely intervention and the first ever impact project delivered in this corridor funded by Kumul Petrolem Holdings.
Dignitaries were treated to guided tours of the facility, allowing them to experience firsthand the medical equipment, consultation rooms, antenatal Clinic, inpatient ward, treatment room, clean and dirty utility rooms, postnatal and delivery rooms, and patient care areas that will enhance healthcare services in the community. Other complementing infrastructures
The overwhelming attendance at the Teapopo Health Project grand opening event underscores the profound impact and significance of this vital healthcare initiative. With strong community support and substantial funding from partners like KPHL, the project stands to make a lasting difference in improving healthcare access and quality for the people of Fly Kiwai LLG which had been in absence for the last decade.
Meantime, the grand opening event of the Teapopo Health Project was a success, drawing a crowd of over 22,000 attendees and showcasing the community’s unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare services in the region. As the project moves forward, it holds the promise of transforming healthcare delivery and positively impacting the well-being of residents in the Fly Kiwai LLG.
Western Star 