Abstract

The idea of using auxiliaries to provide rural health services is well established in Papua New Guinea. Training programs exist for nurses and aid post orderlies, who adequately serve the population. Some problems remain however, such as low use of services, difficulty in motivating staff to work in rural areas, and lack of awareness in the community about the nature of their health problems. The objectives of this project are to identify what rural populations expect from health services, develop services aimed at increasing community participation in health services, and devise an information system to provide continuous feedback.

Post-Project Summary

Staff of the Usino Health Centre interviewed villagers from the area on government spending, health care priorities, health centre staff, cultural taboos and villagers' willingness to help maintain health facilities. The Usino staff themselves were questioned about existing problems in health services and government spending. A list of health service priorities was compiled. Highlighted was the need for close interaction between health services and the traditional medicine practised in villages. Also identified was a need to train village leaders in nutrition, agriculture and housing. Training programs in those areas were set up at the health centre. There was no indication that an information system for monitoring and feedback was established.

Recipient Institution(s)