Quarterly Newsletter Oct – Dec 2021
Issue 10
Our Mission
Being called to follow the inspiration of the Gospel and the compassionate attitude of Jesus, we strive with conviction for excellence in all areas of training and nursing practice for the benefit of the community.
Our Vision
Catholic Church Health Services is an organisation whose members envision enhancing the quality of life of our people by providing a holistic approach to health care through trained, dedicated and compassionate staff.
Our Values
The Catholic Church recognises that training institutions, medical and nursing services are a continuation of the healing Ministry of Christ.
Therefore, our service will be comprehensive and holistic, embracing all people of our nation regardless of creed, colour or social status.
Catholic Church Health Services expects all of its personnel, regardless of whether they are paid or volunteers, to practice the values of:
- Integrity
- Justice
- Compassion
- Excellence
Pope Donates Medical Equipment to CCHS
By Jelilah Kum
The Apostolic Nuncio to PNG, His Excellency Fermín Emilio Sosa Rodríguez, on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis presented a third-round of COVID-19 Medical Equipment to the Catholic Church Health Services on the 17th of November in Port Moresby.
Packages containing respirators, masks, battery operated oximeters, and other important items were handed over by the Nuncio during a brief blessing ceremony at the CCHS national office in Boroko. Apart from the donation in kind, the Nuncio gave a check worth of ten thousand kina.
“I have the honor and pleasure as the representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, on his behalf, to convey to the people of Papua New Guinea a gift consisting of medical equipment which the Holy Father wishes to assist in the face of the pandemic.” The Nuncio said.
“This gesture highlights the continuous solicitude of Pope Francis for PNG and expresses his concern for the people and for the Church in Oceania”.
The Archbishop was appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea on the 31st of March 2021. This was His Excellency’s first official public engagement after he had presented his Credential Letter to Governor General Sir Bob Dadae. As ambassador of the Pope he will be reporting directly to the Holy See on diplomatic and church matters of the country.
Extending the Holy Father’s invite in staying united, and helping each other, he quoted the Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, 8 February 2021. “2021 is a time that must not be wasted. And it will not be wasted if we can work together with generosity and commitment. In this regard, I am convinced that fraternity is the true cure for the pandemic and the many evils that have affected us. Along with vaccines, fraternity and hope are, as it were, the medicine we need in today’s world.”
His Excellency expressed his gratitude to the staff of CCHS for their hard work in which has been and will be the source of hope for many people.
“I encourage you to continue your generous service in the spirit of fraternity as the Holy Father is inviting us. I am sure that this donation will be of help in treating patients infected with the coronavirus and will make it a little bit easier to be a brother or a sister to those afflicted.”
National Catholic Health Secretary Sr Jadwiga Faliszek accepted the donations saying, “We are blessed and humbled to receive continuous support from the Holy Father. I assure you that everything we get we treasure and look after well, remembering that through this support and care the people will receive healing.”
St Mary’s Hospital in East New Britain and Raihu Hospital in West Sepik will be receiving this round of donations as it contains respiratory machines that rural doctors working there will need.
Sr Jadwiga stressed that it is important for the staff to not charge patients as these are donations from the Pope which is a blessing and must be given or used freely to help those who cannot afford.
The first donation was made last year and the second mid this year. Both were successfully distributed to the dioceses.
SECRETARIES MESSAGE
Greetings to you all,
I would like to welcome everyone to our 4th edition of the CCHS
Pulse newsletter for 2021 as we explore new and exciting stories
highlighting our work across the country. Although the COVID-19
Pandemic has taken a toll on us all, we have strived to continue our
normal operations by adhering to COVID-19 Preventative measures
in all our health facilities and have done remarkably well in offering
our services.
As we go into the season of Advent, let us reflect and prepare
ourselves to begin the new year with renewed hope, faith and love for
the service we give.
I congratulate all our dedicated and hardworking staffs for their
continuous contribution in helping our people receive the right
treatment that they need physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
We also remember our hardworking staff, whom we’ve lost during
this year and pray that their souls find eternal peace in God’s grace.
CCHS has received generous donations in kind in this quarter. I
would like to take this time to thank His Holiness Pope Francis for
his third donation of medical equipment to the CCHS. It was
presented by the Apostolic Nuncio of Papua New Guinea, His
Excellency Most Reverend Fermin Emilio Sosa Rodrigues. Also, I
would like to congratulate His Excellency on his official appointment
as the Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea on the 31st of March
2021 and choosing to present the donations as his first official public
engagement.
I would also like to acknowledge the Payroll staff at the National
Office for their great effort in successfully centralizing payroll for all
Dioceses in the country. A total of over 1,800 clinicians and support
officers are paid salaries direct from the National Office. It was an
achievement for us.
I am pleased to say that we have successfully conducted capacity
building activities and workshops facilitated by CCHS. Significant
training programs conducted in this quarter are Monitoring AND
Evaluations Training, Health Safety Facility training in Southern
Highlands and the Leadership training for all Health Managers. We
have also done some progress in Youth and Adolescent Health
Advocacy Program.
We are humbled and thankful that our work is the continuation of the
healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
2022
Sr Jadwiga Faliszek
CCHS National Secretary
Remembering Staff who passed away
During this year 2021, CCHS has lost several long
serving and hardworking staff, loved ones and
family members. We would like to convey our deepest
and utmost thoughts and prayers to the CCHS staff
who have passed on to be with the Heavenly Father.
They were loyal colleagues to some and special
friends to many, today we honor and remember their
lives. Let us reflect, mourn, and share memories of
colleagues and give dignity to those who have left us.
Each one of their lives are a blessing to us.
Let us pray for their souls to rest in peace.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let
perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and
the souls of all the faithful departed, through the
mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Like the seed buried in the ground, you have
produced the harvest of eternal life for us;
make us always dead to sin and alive to God.”
Churches throughout PNG are
supporting the call for COVID-19
vaccinations. Vaccines are the best
way to protect you and your loved
ones from serious illness and even
loss of life from COVID-19 and its
variants.
Continue to follow #NiupelaPasin
measures, even after vaccination,
to help stop the spread.
Head Office News
SRHIP II Extension - Impact on M&E Data
The Sexual Reproductive Health Integration Project phase two has been extended to December 2022.
Catholic Church Health Services Project Director Gra-ham Apian said the extension is a continuation of everything under SRHIP II that began in July of 2021.
The strategic intent of the project is to address four outcomes which are.
(i) Strengthen integrated systems for management, monitoring and evaluation of high performing projects and services.
(ii) Strengthen integrated services providing high-quality HIV and sexual health care.
(iii) Strengthen partnerships supporting a harmonized national and provincial HIV & sexual health response, and
(iv) Strengthen engagement with community and key populations promoting univer-sal access to quality HIV and sexual health services.
COVID-19 restrictions imposed by PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response caused some delays and affect-ed several planned activities under the project.
“Most of the activities that we planned especially on trainings, a bit on integration follow up processes and some workshops and meetings were delayed as a result of the covid-19 restrictions.” Apian said.
The project director added that all the activities mentioned has been pushed to next year, which they aim to complete in the extended phase.
Despite the delays, the high-lights of SRHIP in 2021 included two trainings on monitoring and evaluations and a review workshop that includ-ed 11 Health Managers and their Integration officers in the provinces.
Through the project St Therese and St Paul Urban Clinics managed minor infrastructure adjustments to respective clinics that allowed for COVID19 triaging, while St Joseph VCCT clinic in Goroka was redeveloped to function as an Urban clinic.
“St Joseph is currently under review and will soon be registered under the standards of an Urban Clinic,” Apian said.
Other SRHIP provinces have reached out with the same intension to build facility extension for triaging. To which, the project director said they will do an assessment based on the need in the province and of the facility and provide funds accordingly.
Payroll takes on all Dioceses
By Helena Solien CCHS Communication Intern
NCCHS has successfully centralized payroll for all 19 diocese using Attache payroll system as of November 2021.
Archdiocese of Mt Hagen and Jiwaka were the first to go onto the system in 2019. The Diocese of Bougainville was the last and final to be added.
This momentous achievement has been in the making for almost 2 years when the National CCHS Secretary visualized a central pay system for CCHS as they prepare for the Government operated Alesco payroll.
NCCHS Payroll Officer Julie Pala said, the system helped them to report the exact amount being paid to each staff.
Before the payroll centraliza-tion, the national office did monthly grant allocations for each diocese to pay their own staff. However, since the centralization, everyone is being paid at the same time and direct from the national office.
Pala said the initial challenge was the planning and collating of information when they were first introduced to the system. Although we encountered some challenges at the national level, this helped to communicate and understand each individual diocese and its struggles.
The centralization has assisted the national office in the management and allocation of funds so that future staff recruitments will be in line with the staff ceiling for each diocese.
Diocese News
UNICEF NUTRITION PROJECT COMPLETED
By Jelilah Kum
Catholic Church Health Services in Western province with support from the CCHS National Office successfully completed the rollout of the Nutrition Project on the 30th of June 2021.
The project was funded by the United Nation Children’s Fund (Unicef) to provide critical nutrition services for COVID-19 affected populations in Kiunga starting on the 1st of September 2020.
Stakeholders and implementing partners included the National Department of Health, Western Provincial Health Authority, Daru Kiunga Diocese Heath Team, Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea Health Services, and the North Fly District Health Services.
CCHS Sub-Health Centers Matkomnai, Membok, Kungim and Katawin Aid posts along with the EPNGs Rural Hospital Rumginau were the implement-ing facilities over the 9 months of the project.
CCHS Project Officer at the time, Nancy Aloitch reported that the successful outcome reflected the commitment and engagement of all the partners whose collaborative efforts were commendable.
The outcome was based on five performance indicators which are.
i. Number of children aged 6-59 months (about 5 years) who received Vitamin A supplementation.
ii. Number of children aged 6-59 months who received Multiple Micronutrient Powder.
iii. Number of children aged 6-59 months with severe acute malnutrition who are admitted for treatment.
iv. Number of primary caregiv-ers of children aged 0-23 months who received IYCF counselling through facilities and community platforms.
v. Number of pregnant and lactating women receiving nutrition education includ-ing infant and young child feeding practices.
Four out of the five Nutrition Indicators showed favorable outcomes however only one did not meet the target as it require hospital records.
“There were cases identified, referred and admitted to Rumgi-nae Rural and Kiunga District Hospitals for appropriate management, treatment and care, however hospital records are not easily accessible”, Aloitch said.
Health care workers and Village Health Volunteers who were trained to participate in the project were very instrumental in the project’s success. Their active participation resulted in the increase on nutritional inter-vention activities conducted within the catchment areas of the health facilities.
Apart from the project imple-mentation, CCHS as a faith base organization was required to incorporate a policy on Prevent-ing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) into its organizational policy. All the staff at the national CCHS office underwent a sensitization training and plan to roll out the training down to the dioceses.
SIMBU PREPARES SLA
By: Jelilah Kum
CCHS Simbu is working on a Service Level Agreement to formalize and strengthen the existing partnership with their Provincial Health Authority before the end of 2021.
CCHS of Simbu has had a great working relationship with their PHA for over 50 years with 10 facilities providing primary health care mostly in the rural areas of the province.
Health Manageress, Elisabeth Koai said they are grateful to PHA especially during this pandemic period as they have received great help and support from them.
“We already have a great partnership going, now we just need to sign the agreement and make our partnership official” Koai said.
She acknowledged the support they received from NCCHS, Kundiawa Diocese, Australian Government, other donors, and people of Simbu in terms of financial aid, PPE’s, trainings, and voluntary services.
Financial Aid this year had enable Migende Rural Hospital to build a triage building and renovate their old pediatric ward as an isolation ward for COVID-19.
After the completion of the ward, more than 40 COVID-19 patients have been isolated in the ward.
CCHS Disease Control Officer Peter Kelly made a request to SiPHA for assistance which resulted the donation of 12 mattresses, pillows, patient rations and additional fuel assistance of K7000.
Kelly also highlighted some of the challenges faced regarding the hospitals needs including oxygen, nutrition rehabilitation program, manpower issues, waste management and laundry facilities requirement.
RENOVATION ENABLES SERVICE EXPANSION
Byline: Jelilah Kum
Banz Urban Clinic is now able to fully provide the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) program to the people of North Waghi District in Jiwaka Province.
Officer in Charge of the clinic Paul Zulu said they have offered the program in the past however it was not effective until the building renovation in 2020.
“The clinic has three PLHIV mothers who attend the program when they visit the clinic.” Zulu said.
The esteemed officer-in charge said one has already delivered, however due to financial hardships, she was not able to bring her baby to the clinic for testing and treatment.
The PPTCT program offers a range of services for women of reproductive age living with or at risk of HIV to maintain their health and stop their infants from acquiring HIV. These programs are offered before conception and throughout pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding. In countries like PNG, infant infections occur during the postnatal period due to the high rates of woman who leave care.
Apart from the program, the clinic has reported an increase in number of patients attending its other services since the renovation.
“That is because many preferred to come here due to the way our staff treat and care for them and because of the clean and well-kept environ-ment” Mr Zulu said.
The clinic is the only Catholic Church Health Services Urban Clinic operating normally in the province along with three sub-health centers and one aid post.
MIGENDE CELEBRATES PNG’S 46TH INDEPENDENCE
By Ellena Aswe
“Growth and Development will come in its own good time, but at this moment, it is our duty and responsibility to take care of whatever that is available to us. “
Simbu Health Manager Elisabeth Koia said this during her Independence Celebration at St. Joseph’s Rural Hospital, Mingende.
It was a day of colors at the hospital grounds on Thursday 16th of September 2021.
Families assembled early in the morning dressed in our national colors in both modern and traditional attire: Black, Gold and Red. The Papua New Guinean Flag rose solemnly to meet the top of the pole as children and parents sang the National Anthem to honor its ascent.
Fr. John Pari, the hospital’s chaplain blessed the flag and opened the celebration with a prayer while a young nurse, Michaleyn Takai read a
poem that moved most the crowd to tears. Children also composed and sang an Anthem for Simbu. Feelings of unity and pride was felt at that colorful morning was like never before.
Thursday ends the four-day program organized to commemorate PNG’s 46th Independence Anniversary. The organizing committee led by Mr. Sumai Wel, a senior nursing officer arranged activities ranging from dances, both ethnic and modern to volleyball games, fun activities and dressing competition. Each section of the hospital campus was divided into six color houses. Red, Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue and Black. Purple House won the volleyball tournament, while Green house was the runner up to the volleyball competition. Mandang and the Niugini Islands Dances gave a highlight to the whole event, with the traditional beats of kundu drums and shouts, made hearts soared right up to the skies. The Madang Group won the price for best ethnic dance.
District Administrator for Kundiawa Gembogl, Alphonse Kawage on behalf of the Minister for Police, Hon. Willie Onguglo, gave a surprise visit and presented K5, 000.00 in cash to the Organizing Committee earlier in the morning. Contribution from staff, support staff and CHSS Management all added to cater for celebration’s cost.
Prices were awarded to the teams and the Independence Dinner was shared by all, I ncluding the inpatients and their guardians. Students from the Divine Word University and Kundiawa College of Nursing on Practical Training also took part in this celebration.
St. Joseph’s, a pearl for its people, has come a long way, from its humble beginnings to what it is now. As Sr. Elizabeth has said and it is set to endure and move on. There could never be a day more significant to reflect than the independence of Papua New Guinea. Our forefather’s dream to be an independent nation coming true. Unity in Diversity.
MOROBE COMMEMORATES WAD
By: Samantha Tirang
Every year on World AIDS Day, Catholic Church Health Services staff and their patients around the country commemorate the day with dedication mess followed by awareness and Voluntary HIV Testing. Bishop of Lae Diocese, Bishop Rozario Menezes commemorated the day with Lae’s Center of Mercy (COM) health center’s staff, patients and the surrounding community based on the theme: “Pinisim HIV: Wankain Luksave, Nek bilong yumi.”
During the speeches, a mother living with HIV stepped forward and thanked all the health workers at the COM health center for their hard work and constant support to people living with HIV.
Living with HIV for the past 11 years, she is a proud mother to two healthy and HIV free children. The COM clinic has been able to register 85 negative babies born to 52 positive mothers since 2013.
She shared with the people present on how the Anti-Retroviral therapy (ART) helped her to live a normal life and start a family.
Health Integration Officer for Lae Catholic Church Health Services Samantha Tirang said that the story of this mother touched and encouraged a lot of people including other patients to come forward and get help.
“Our statistics show that since 2013, we have 566 HIV+ patients registered in our database with 325 actively on ART and others either trans-ferred or are lost to follow up case,” Tirang said.
In addition to the COM clinic, two other CCHS facilities also commemorated the day with activities. A combine total of over 100 tests have been conducted across all three clinics at the end of the day. This is one of the highest average of tests done in a single day for the diocese.
Tirang said some have even arranged in advance to be tested on WAD therefore testing will continue to Friday of the week. The day ended with light refreshment and exchanges. It was all smiles as everyone was given a red ribbon as they depart. CCHS facilities around the country also commemorated the day in prayer and awareness.
MADANG CONTINUES OUTREACH PLAN
By: Jelilah Kum
Madang CCHS aims to provide clear and accurate COVID-19 information to its facilities catchment population in a three-month long outreach program.
The outreach program kicked off right after CCHS Madang staff received training on how to conduct COVID-19 awareness, testing and vaccination in the province.
The team has already visited catchment areas of Alexishafen, Utu, Tabel, Botola and Brahman health facilities and are now preparing for their next outreach activities in Mugil Health Center. CCHS Madang has 15 health facilities.
Madang CCHS Health Integration Officer Aileen Watakapura said they want to provide clear and accurate information to people and give them the opportunity to make the right decisions themselves.
Before conducting outreach in communities, the team run a leadership advocacy meeting for community leaders and group representatives as they are key influential people in their communities.
Watakapura said as soon as people get clear and accurate information, those who were hesitant in the first place came forward voluntarily to do tests and putting their names down to get vaccinated.
The spread of misinformation on social media caused people to respond negatively to outreaches and routine health activities.
“One area is the decline in our immunization coverage, our indicators are severely affected and a way to get it back on track is through more awareness programs.” Watakapura said.
The integration officer is encouraging colleagues to work together with local partners, NGOs and government departments in sharing plans, ideas, and resources.
“We need to stay united in this fight so we will regain people’s trust in our profession as health workers.” Watakapura said. “It’s the way forward to effectively break barriers created by C-19 in households, communities and society as a whole.”
“Keep up the good work in your respective dioceses. Continue the awareness programs, eventually, more people will be informed and will voluntarily make good choices to get vaccinated. Together we will beat the fight against Covid-19.”
FEATURE STORY
A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
By: James Pesop (OIC- Kema Aid Post)
Little Jack is a two-year-old boy who has lower limb gangrene. It has left him with severe pain on his lower limbs which has resulted in him having restless nights. Lower Limb Gangrene is a dead tissue caused by an infection or lack of blood flow.
Little Jacks parents were treating their child’s swollen and painful limbs at home until one day they decided they must try take him to a health facility. They were desperate as they do not have any money to pay the outpatient fees, however the health workers at Kema Aidpost took the baby in and put him on Amoxicillin and paracetamol for five days.
Kema aid post is in Mendi /Munhiu district of Southern Highlands Province and serves the neighbouring Nipa/Kutubu district, Komo/ Magarima district of Hela and Kandep district of Enga provinces respectively. The aid post has more than 15, 000 catchment population with only two Community Health Workers serving the people there. Kema aid post provides Antenatal clinic, delivery, minor surgery, school health, maternal and child health, STI/HIV screening and testing, counselling, inpatients, and outpatients. Even though the facility has no proper admission ward, the community used available bush materials and built a thatched inpatient ward especially for post-natal mothers and severe illnesses that needs to be stabilised before referral for further management. This was where little Jack was admitted and regularly supervised for five days by the health workers.
After the five days of supervision, Jack’s situation was not improving and so he was referred to Mendi Provincial Hospital for further investigation and management.
Coming from a rural area, Jack’s parents could not pay for his medical supplies from a nearest Centre as they were financially distressed. Out of the kindness of those at Kema aid post, they used the outpatient’s collection fee to provide bus fare for Jack’s parents and he was referred to Mendi Provincial Hospital. The surrounding local villages sometimes support the facility with garden food especially for those neglected or are admitted at the aid post.
Little Jack was admitted for six weeks at Mendi Hospital. After being discharged, his parents always bring him to Kema Aidpost for his dressings to be changed. Eventually the dead tissues peeled off with the phalanges leaving behind the feet.
During Jacks admission, the Kema health facility has struggled with providing proper admission house. Jack could not sleep well on the wooden bed while experiencing pain. He will also need a wheel chair while growing up for him to move around.
Jack’s case was indeed a challenge for the staff at Kema Aid Post because children like Jack will never stay the same. It is our job and our responsibility to provide them with tools to have every success possible. In the end of the day, they are our inspiration, and they will be the ones to surprise us.
COVID-19 NEWS
NUNCIO: EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC
By: Helena Solien
On Wednesday 17th of November, His Excellency Most Reverend Fermin Emilio Sosa Rodrigues as the representative of Pope Francis in PNG conveyed a gift to the National Catholic Church Health Services consist-ing of medical equipment which the Holy Father wishes to donate to assist during the COVID19 pandemic.
He encouraged health care workers and catholic faithful to play their part and be responsible to break transmission and end the pandemic. “If we do not play our part the pandemic will never finish. That is why we have to put all efforts in order to find solutions to mitigate its effects,” said the Nuncio.
“We have to put in our efforts, our charism and our hearts in everything that we’re doing in finding that unity to fight against the decease”, He added.
“There have been a lot of speculations about the vaccination, but the statistics show us that those who are vac-cinated have less chance to finish intubated or in the morgue”. He invited those who still not being vaccinated to think better their decision and appeal to their conscience in finding out a real reason why they chose not to be vaccinated.
“This is a very difficult time not only for Papua New Guinea but for the whole world. This is a real decease but taking the vaccine and following all the protocols is the way to take care”, says the Reverend.
According to the Nuncio, it is true that the government has its responsibility in taking care of the health of the population, but it is also true that each citizen has to assume his or her own responsibility as well to take care of themselves, their family, friends, and other people. A radical decision taken by some governments may come from the frustration provoked by the lack of response of the people.
He acknowledges the health care workers for their efforts. Without them, it would have been worse. The front liners are the ones to help those who are sick.
TRAINING COMBATS MISINFORMATION
By Joseph Angli, Diocese Health Integration Officer
Wewak:
The staff of Catholic Church Health Services East Sepik completed a successful two-day training on COVID-19 funded by Save the Children on the 9 -10 of November at Village Inn in Wewak.
Thirteen participants who attended the training were selected from health facilities that have not received any previous trainings regarding the pandemic.
A pretest session and expectations from the participants revealed that the health workers have limited to little knowledge about the virus and the vaccines.
also, It also suggested that they lack proper skills and knowledge to do awareness effectively on the subject and at the same time were unable to dispel myths and misinformation with facts.
The participants were much more confident after the training and were keen to share their experiences and knowledge gained with coworkers and their patients.
Martin Magosik of Yarapos Aid post said that the train-ing was important and the knowledge he gained was new and dispels most of his doubts and as-sumptions about both the virus and the vaccine.
The training was funded by Save the Children Project office in East Sepik with the support of East Sepik Provincial Authority who provided two facilitators, Health Extension Officers Veronica Maiwax and Winnie Sagiu.
Contents covered were: Myths about the Coronavirus and Vaccines, The Virus, Vaccines and Side effects, Facts about Coronavirus and Vaccines, Crisis Management, Interpersonal Communication and Vaccine Hesitancy and Immunization Updates.
It was delivered through power point presentations with group discussions, question and answer session and experience sharing.
The highlight of the training was the presentation of reference booklets, National Operational Guideline for Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment 2021.
MOPHA ISSUES CIRCULAR TO ALL STAFF
By: Helena Solien CCHS Communication Intern
Morobe: The Morobe Provincial Health Authority issued a circular to all its staff on the 27th of October 2021 after health workers were attacked during routine runs. Situation in Morobe has not been good around the vaccination. The CCHS Morobe’s Ambulance was stoned while health workers were carrying awareness on routine immunization.
Diocesan Health Manager, Sr. Dr. Pauline Mpongo said, “The Morobe PHA sent a circular to stop all mobile activities but to have statics activities within the vicinity of the clinic. PHA sup-ported us with two guards to control the inflow of patients at the entrance.”
Responding to the incident, the MoPHA has issued a circular instruction to resolve the recent problem. Here are the procedures health workers will adhere to;
i. Stop all mobile Clinics be it COVID-19 related or routine to ceased immediately.
ii. All services including vaccinations for COVID-19 or routine will only be carried out at the Clinic Sites.
iii. People and or companies who wish to get their employees vaccinated will have to go to an established clinic to get the vaccines.
iv. We ask for community support and ask the leaders to take lead and advice the communities not to attack our staff.
v. MoPHA will be seriously considering halts to its services to any community with catchment area of a facility if its staff are harassed continually.
MoPHA management asks for everyone’s support during these times of uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Together we all can stand a better chance to get through this.
IMPORTANT
NUMBERS
In the case of emergencies, do not hesitate to contact these emergency numbers.
COVID –19 Hotline:
1800 200
Domestic Violence:
715 8000
Reporting on Rape:
321 1714 or 320 3728
Family and Sexual Vio-lence Unit:
3211397 or 3211714
Human Trafficking:
7100 7777
1 Tok Kaunseling :
7158000
PICTORIALS
Welcome & Appreciation to CCHS Staff joining the team in 2021.
We sincerely thank all CCHS staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment towards the health services that they provide to Papua New Guineans, mainly in remote and rural areas. All your work is truly commendable, and we appreciate all your contribution to the commission.
To the staff, we greatly appreciate your dedicated years of services and loyalty to our commission. We have seen all your efforts and hard work, and we cannot thank you enough. We value your sacrifices in helping the healing ministry (health commission) grow to where it is today.
To our new staff, we warmly welcome you. It is a privilege for us to have you, hence, to learn from you as well. We look forward to hear new and bright ideas from you all.
To our Staff that have retired we will miss your presence and your exceptional work towards the services you provide. Although it is sad for us to see you go, we hope you all remain happy and healthy.
We wish you all the very best in your new chapter ahead.
“The true joy of
Christmas is the love of Christ, shared with family and friends. May you find His peace, love and joy in the coming New Year.”
Important Upcoming Dates 2022
Jan 1: New Years Day
Feb 4: World Cancer Day
Feb 9: World Toothache Day
Feb 11: World Day of the Sick
Mar 1: Zero Discrimination Day
Mar 8: International Womens Day
Mar 10: World Kidney Day
Mar 21: World Down Syndrome Day
Mar 22: World Environment Day
Mar 24: World TB Day
National Catholic Church Health Services
Head Quarter
P O Box 297
BOROKO,NCD
Tel: 3257198
Email: info@catholichealthpng.org
Website: catholichealthpng.org
