For the first time since Independence the people of Cloudy Bay Area in Abau District, Central Province now have an operating health centre.
The health centre which was built by the Cloudy Bay Timber Products Ltd more than a decade ago was never opened and used until just recently.
Moreguina Health Centre OIC Ravu Kapa said he had being making trips by foot to and from Moreguina and Cloudy Bay serving the sick people during bad weather and on fine days people of Cloudy Bay walk miles to excess health service at Moreguina Health Centre, thus this had pushed him to have talks with the Cloudy Bay Timber Products Ltd for months to allow him to use the already built health facility.
“This will be the third week, we opened just before Christmas and started giving health services to the people of Cloudy Bay”, said OIC Kapa.
“After receiving the ok from Cloudy Bay Timbers, I did not waste time but kick started the health service.”
Mr Kapa said he had done up a roster already whereby nursing officers from Moreguina are divided to work in Cloudy Bay when rostered.
He said the people of Cloudy Bay were overwhelmed that they now have a health centre within their LLG and would not have to walk miles to excess basic health services.
“This is a dream coming true and the people of Cloudy Bay must take ownership of this great service and also look after the health workers from Moreguina working there to serve them”, he further stated.
OIC Kapa further stated “Just one week into operation and we have delivered 4 Christmas babies in Cloudy Bay Health Centre on Christmas Day with the heaviest being a baby boy weighing 4kg.”
“We were hoping we would deliver some babies on New Year but unfortunately no babies were born on the New Year’s Day.”
The health centre is fully functioning now with the help from the health workers from Moreguina Heath Centre and 28 students from Asia Pacific College who are currently doing their nursing training.