Witipi health centre receives new staff house

The Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority [DDA] has handed over a brand-new staff house to the Witipi Health Centre, bringing the total number of staff accommodations to three.

This marks another milestone in improving healthcare services in district.

Run by the Seventh-Day Adventist [SDA] Mission, the Witipi Health Centre serves 12 villages across the region, including communities in the East Yangoru LLG of Yangoru-Saussia District, as well as villages from the Wosera and Maprik Districts.

Community leader Jack Kaput recalled the hardships residents faced before the health center was built. 

"We used to carry sick patients on our shoulders or makeshift beds, walking for hours to access health services in Warabung, Yangoru, or Naksimigel.” 

That struggle eased in 2020 when the DDA constructed the health center, along with two staff houses and an ambulance service.

With the new staff house now ready, the health center is preparing to welcome an additional health worker who will join Bobby Kejaki, currently the sole health worker at the facility. 

Local MP Richard Maru has specifically requested that the SDA Mission assign a female health worker to occupy the house.

“This female health worker will focus on antenatal care, deliveries, and other women’s health services.”

Maru also pledged further support for the health center and the community.

"Road maintenance from Boim-Sara to Witipi 1 and 2, and Koro will start next week [and also] I want the work completed by the end of the month so we can begin the new year with improved infrastructure."