Quarterly Newsletter Jan– March 2023
Issue 15
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
Inside this Issue
- New Bitokara CHP Building opens
- Holistic Approach to End TB is Crucial
- Dioceses Commemorating World TB Day
- HIV Prescriber Trained in Milne Bay
- NCCHS Staff on Radio Maria
- New Building for Wirui Urban Clinic
- Training to Strengthen HIV Services in AROB
M&E Training a success
Monitoring and Evaluations officers of the Catholic Church Health Services attended a successful five-day training program on Data Analysis conducted from March 13th to March 17th, 2023.
The program aimed to build the skills and capacity of CCHS M&E officers to collect, analyze, interpret, and visualize data for decision-making purposes.
The training was conducted by the National CCHS M&E team, Public Health Specialist Dr. Gilbert Hiawalyer from Vital Strategies, National Department of Health ICT/Network officer David Josh Rupenti and PNG Program Manager for Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) Brooke Dickson.
A total of 17 M&E officers attended the training except for officers from the diocese of Wewak, Bougainville, and Alotau. The training program was highly successful in achieving its aim and objectives as the participants were enthusiastic and actively engaged in discussions and practical exercises.
“The best thing that we achieved apart from our training objectives was that we made sure everyone is well acquainted with each other in the first two days so the rest of the week everyone was communicating and interacting freely.” NCCHS M&E Officer Sally Laka said.
During the training, the participants learned how to collect, manage, analyze, interpret, and visualize data using Excel and other tools.
They also learned the basic concepts of epidemiology and public health data, and how to use data to improve health indicators. The participants were able to apply the skills learned during the training to real-world scenarios and reported that they would be able to use these skills acquired in their daily work.
“We have given them an assignment to do in a month and once we get their reports, we will be in a better position to evaluate their individual skills and mentor them accordingly,” Laka said.
To ensure that the skills acquired during the training are put into practice, it was recommended to the National CCHS M&E team to regularly analyze and report on the data collected through the distribution of dashboards and diocese quarterly feedback. This will enable them to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions based on the data.
NATIONAL SECRETARY’S MESSAGE
Greetings to you all.
I would first like to thank you all for the successful year 2022. Despite challenges in our personal lives or work, we have achieved a lot as a team and have much to celebrate for all our efforts and contributions.
We have all started this year 2023 with staff retreats and dedication services. It is important to begin the year on an enriching note. Reverend Bishop Rozario Menezes who is the NCCHS Spiritual Director reminded the NCCHS staff to remain committed to our work which impacts mostly the people in the rural areas of our country.
In this year’s first quarter, NCCHS has successfully coordinated several trainings for our clinical and non-clinical staff, and we are looking forward to upskilling more of our staff in this 2nd quarter.
To those dioceses that have already started working on your Service Level Agreements with your Provincial Health Authorities, I applaud you all and urge you all to continue fostering partnerships that will help us in improving service delivery.
I hope everyone has had a wonderful Easter holiday with your families as you reflect on the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the examples that He had set for us when He came down, as a human and lived among us.
Easter, of course, is all about the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are reminded also of those who lovingly cared for Him as He made his way toward the cross. In their home in Bethany, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus showed Jesus unusual kindness at His most challenging time.
I am sure you have all been showing kindness to many but how good are you at receiving it from others? Consider then, the body of Jesus as it was taken from the cross – the physical challenges of all that he had endured, now culminating in His body being laid to rest. Think what that rest accomplished in just a few days later, He rose again in what the Bible refers to as “The Resurrection and Life Everlasting” so that He could give life to others.
In this Eastertide, we are reminded to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection and welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives.
I would like to thank all the hard-working staff for their continuous work in ensuring our people receive the necessary treatment for their healing.
Sr Jadwiga Faliszek, SSpS
CCHS National Secretary
The Catholic Church Health Services of Kimbe Diocese celebrated the grand opening of the Bitokara Community Health Post on the 8th of March 2023.
CCHS has 15 health facilities in West New Britain Province, 9 of which are in the Talasea District including Bitokara HCP.
The facility upgrade began in 2020 as all normal primary health services were moved to a temporary building to allow infrastructure upgrades to take place.
The Bishop Deputy for Health said that the total estimated costs of the Health Post include medical equipment, fencing, staff houses, labor costs, and others most probably total to almost K10 million.
“As Bishop Deputy for Health in CCHS in PNG, I wish to express my deepest and sincere gratitude to the CCHS Health Manageress of WNB, Theckla Nohan, and her team of nurses, CHW, a cadre of health professionals who took time to prepare and attend the occasion.”
“The people of Talasea District especially in the Bitokara Health Post areas for their support and participation in the project which now they are proud and can take pride in their well deserve Community Health Post Facility.” Bp Francis Meli added.
The project was cofounded by the Government of PNG, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Asian Development Bank, the National Department of Health, WNB PHA, and the Catholic Church Health Services.
The Minister for Health Hon. Dr. Lino Tom officially opened the CHP in the presence of the Bishop for Kimbe Diocese Bp. John Bosco Auram, Bishop Deputy for Health, Bp Francis Meli, Governor for WNB Hon. Sasindra Muthuvel, Member of Parliament for Talasea District Hon Freddie Kumai and Chairman for WNB Provincial Health Authority Chief Mathias Sapuri.
The Minister for Health expressed his gratitude to the Catholic Church for the partnership and its continued support of Health and Education to the people of PNG, especially in the rural parts of the country.
In his speech, he also acknowledged the women in health care who continue to serve the people in rural areas despite daily challenges.
Bitokara CHP received acknowledgment for its well-built, constructed, and equipped interior and exterior from the guests. Bitokara has a catchment population of over 15 000 people and the upgrade will have a positive impact on the lives of the people and can also cater to the nearby local-level government areas.
Holistic Approach to End TB is Crucial
A two-day training was conducted in partnership with Médecins San Frontières from the 13th to the 14th of March 2023 at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby.
The training includes a total of 16 participants, 3 health workers from CCHS and one from each of their PHAs in Milne Bay, West New Britain, Enga, and Simbu.
The training covered a refresher on Basic TB, Infection Prevention Control, Triaging, Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis (DS-TB), and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB).
CCHS National Secretary Sr Jadwiga Faliszek who was present at the opening ceremony encouraged the PHA representatives to work together with the CCHS teams in their province.
“We are all implementing the same goals set by the National Department of Health so we must work together.”
During one of the presentations, MSF Clinic Supervisor Homate Huwa shared MSF’s holistic approach to the management of TB patients.
“Indeed, TB is unfortunately still a stigmatizing disease that affects patients in all aspects of their lives.”
“That is why it is crucial to take care of the patients in their physical, psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual dimensions.”
Huwa stated that this will all be possible if everyone worked together starting from health workers down to the community leaders.
In the two days, the participants were able to outline the different challenges faced at their health centers in caring for TB patients and come up with solutions to the challenges.
CCHS data records over 2000 new Tuberculosis cases every year and it is now more than ever crucial to adopt effective approaches to the management of patients with TB.
CCHS is collaborating with Caritas Australia under the project “Tackling TB through CCHS” with a goal to enhance existing responses to TB through workforce capacity building and institutional strengthening.
Through this collaboration, CCHS was able to purchase microscopes, print and distribute IEC materials and facilitate TB training for the four implementing dioceses.
Dioceses Commemorating World TB Day
Archdiocese of Madang CCHS
Diocese of Wabag CCHS
Diocese of Lae CCHS
Diocese of Aitape CCHS
Diocese of Kimbe CCHS
Diocese of alotau-sideia cchs
30 HIV Prescriber Trained in Milne Bay
A total of 30 Healthcare workers, 5 from Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority and 25 from the CCHS facilities in the province received certificates as HIV prescribers after attending a full HIV Prescriber training from the 24th of November to the 1st of December 2022.
The training is supported by the Sexual Reproduction Health Integration Project under Papua New Guinea- Australia Transition to Health.
The lead facilitator for the training was Dr. John Millan of the PNG Sexual Health Society and who was assisted by CCHS Health Extension Officer Joanwalker Jerome.
“The training has now enabled the health workers to provide HIV testing and be able to prescribe ART for their patients on-site at their respective facilities.”
“Having ART at all health centers will enable PLHIV to easily access their medication and significantly reduce lost to follow up and deaths.” Dr. John Millan stated.
As part of the training program, the participants had four days of classroom-based sessions and a day of particle sessions in the Alotau Provincial Hospitals’ sexual health, STI, and HIV clinic.
“The clinic visit enabled the participants to see some clinical cases and they were also introduced to the different clinical reporting forms and the patient record booklet.”
“The participants were able to see the antiretroviral drugs and were also fortunate to see the GeneXpert machine and the viral load testing.” Dr. Millan added.
On World AIDS Day, the participants were divided into 4 groups of 6 and 7 and were allocated different locations in the Alotau town area to conduct awareness.
Dr. Millan assured the health workers that he will continue to provide clinical mentoring support to all of them on managing STI and HIV patients in the facilities.
Dr. Jacob Morewaya from the MBPHA and Dr. Katherine Lepani a hospital board member was present at the closing of the training and both gave positive comments about the partnership between the PHA and CCHS in the province.
NCCHS Staff on Radio Maria
Staff from the National Catholic Church Health Services took part in the community development program run by Radio Maria PNG to raise awareness of Tuberculosis in the country on the 24th of March 2023.
It was the first-ever appearance of the NCCHS team, and they are excited to have more sessions in the studio.
The team consisted of Communications and Advocacy officer Jelilah Kum, Monitoring and Evaluations Manager Elizabeth Akuire, and M&E officer Sally Laka.
The purpose of the awareness was to share what CCHS does in terms of its partnership with the government of PNG in delivering health services and to also promote conversation about support, care, and respect for TB patients.
The director of Radio Maria PNG, Fr Martin We-en welcomed the team to visit the studio for more similar sessions once every month. Radio Maria is currently broadcasting in 11 dioceses and they are working towards reaching all the dioceses soon.
New Building for Wirui Urban Clinic
Deputy Chairman for East Sepik Provincial Health Authority Max Manimbi, Bishop Józef Roszyński of Wewak Diocese and ESP PHA Director Curative Health Dr Jimmy Kambo at the ground breaking ceremony for the new Wirui Clinic Building.
The Diocese of Wewak and representatives from the East Sepik Provincial Government held a short official ground-breaking ceremony at the new site for the Wirui Urban Clinic on the 3rd of March 2023.
“It was a humble celebration for the much-needed development which was desired and planned long ago.” Bishop of Wewak Diocese, Bishop Józef Roszyński, S.V.D said.
The new building would provide all clinical services including testing and treatment for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infections (STI), and maternal health care with spacious specialist rooms for examination and treatment.
Due to the increasing number of patients, they see every day, the new building will help improve their service delivery to the surrounding communities and settlements.
According to the Catholic Church Health Services Data, in 2022, the Wirui clinic saw over 12 300 outpatient cases and over 1000 reattendances.
The new building will be funded by the Asia Development Bank, the Diocese of Wewak, and the East Sepik Provincial Government.
The contract for the construction of the new building was awarded to Pacific Development Contractors who just completed the Bitokara Community Health Post in Kimbe West New Britain Province.
ESP PHA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mathew Kaluvia, PHA Board Deputy Chairman Max Manumbi, PHA Director Curative Health Dr. Jimmy Kambo, and representatives from ESP provincial government office, Divine Ward University Nursing School, Boram Hospital, and all the CCHS staff also attended the ceremony.
Training to Strengthen HIV Services in AROB
Twenty-one healthcare workers received certificates as HIV Prescribers after undergoing a weeklong full-prescriber-training at Dobs Inn, Hutjena in Buka District on the 3rd of February 2023.
The aim of the training is to enable healthcare workers in Catholic Church Health Services facilities in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to provide HIV testing, prescribe ART after diagnosis and provide other related essential services in their health facilities.
Facilitating the training was the Director of PNG Sexual Health Society Dr. John Millan who is collaborating with CCHS to conduct training on HIV and Sexual Health under the Sexual Reproductive Health Integration Project. He was assisted by Momase Regional HIV Officer, Dr. Elsie Ryan.
The training was conducted for healthcare workers who were selected by the CCHS Health Manager and the Diocesan Health Service Integration Officer of the Bougainville Diocese.
They also extended the Invitation to the AROB Department of Health and Buka Hospital where 5 participants were nominated to attend the training.
Of the 21 participants, the Diocesan Health Services Integration Officer, Rosemary Ravana, was the only person who has had exposure to HIV information and knowledge on HIV/STI and sexual health. Despite attending the training with no prior exposure to the contents, the 20 participants showed great interest and enthusiasm in all the sessions.
“We had mixed feelings about how well the participants would be able to grasp all the concepts taught to them, however, we were impressed at the end of the training with their eagerness to commence their ART programs in their facilities when they go back after the training.” DHSIO Rosemary Ravana said.
“The training given was an eye opener for most of our participants and an opportunity to enhance their skills to provide quality essential care, treatment & support to those who need it,” Ravana added.
Ravana said that from the participants’ comments and the interest they showed, she believes that their networking will be strengthened and their work in relation to HIV will be improved in the region.
Buka General Hospital offered to work together and support each other in their HIV/ART programs.
The Chief Executive Officer of Buka General Hospital Dr. Tommy Wotsia and the Director of Medical Services Dr. Mathias Tovilu were present at the closing ceremony which included the presentation of certificates to the participants and tokens of appreciation to the facilitators.
