The East Sepik Provincial Health Authority (ESPHA) recently hosted a prominent joint delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations agencies, and the National Department of Health (NDoH) to address critical gaps in rural healthcare delivery.
The five-day official visit, which concluded yesterday, 16 October, was led by Dr. Rajendra Yadav, the WHO Representative and Head of Country Office in Papua New Guinea. The mission focused on gaining a first-hand understanding of frontline health services and identifying strategic pathways to strengthen healthcare systems across the province.
The mission commenced with a comprehensive briefing at the Village Inn Hotel in Wewak, where ESPHA executives outlined the province’s current health status, key milestones, operational challenges, and resource priorities.
Dr. Yadav reassured ESPHA management, board members, and staff that the mission was strictly collaborative rather than administrative.
“We are here not to assess, but to learn from you," Dr. Yadav emphasized. "We want to know your challenges and struggles and how we can assist in improving healthcare delivery for our people.”
To witness the realities of rural medical care, the high-level delegation conducted extensive field visits to several key provincial facilities, including:
- Maprik District Hospital
- Naramko Community Health Post
- Sassoya Health Centre
- Tumarau Sub-Health Centre
- Huliwa and Passam Aid Posts
During these site visits, delegates observed active medical operations and held consultative meetings with frontline health workers, ward members, and community leaders.
The primary objectives of the mission centered on revitalizing primary healthcare, boosting routine immunization coverage, and ensuring the reliable delivery of essential health services. Moving forward, the joint visit aims to foster deeper institutional collaboration between ESPHA, state agencies, UN partners, and local communities to build a more resilient health framework for East Sepik.