​PNG Kokoda Track Authority Funds Rural Health Students

Health services in remote PNG communities along the Kokoda Track could improve in coming years as more local students receive training to become community health workers.

The Kokoda Track Authority has provided K116,000 in tuition payments for students from Central Koiari and Kokoda Koiari enrolled at the Kwikila Community Health Worker Training School in Rigo, Central Province.

Authority chairman Jac Deia said the initiative was aimed at preparing local youths to serve in villages where healthcare access continues to be limited because of the difficult terrain and isolation.

He said outside health workers assigned to the area frequently leave their posts, creating ongoing shortages in medical services for people living along the track.

The fee support, approved by the KTA board, was administered by chief executive officer Julius Wargirai and chairman Mr Deia earlier this year.

A total of K76,000 was paid for 16 students from communities situated along the Kokoda Track corridor, while K40,000 went towards students from Biage and Kaina in Kokoda Koiari, Northern Province.

Mr Deia said the authority wanted to see local people trained to take responsibility for healthcare delivery within their own communities.

“There are many challenges in these remote places and it is important that our own children are trained and return to serve their people,” he said.

He said health facilities already established through the Kokoda Initiative partnership between the Australian Government and the Papua New Guinea Government would benefit from graduates returning after completing their studies.

Mr Deia said the arrangement marked the authority’s first partnership with the Kwikila CHW Training School and would contribute to strengthening healthcare services in the province.

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