Huon Gulf health centres receive K100,000 medical boost

The Huon Gulf District Development Authority has launched a K100,000 medicine supply initiative to restock 35 health facilities across the district.

The launching took place at the Huon Gulf district administration office in Lae over the weekend. District health officer Pendeng Sationg confirmed that the supplies would be distributed to 35 accessible health centres first before reaching the remaining facilities.

Huon Gulf currently has 48 health centres in total.

"Despite the many challenges in the health sector, the most important thing is that medicine is being provided, and we are grateful to our DDA," Sationg said.

District Administrator Andrew Namuesh, speaking at the ceremony, called on the National Government to prioritize health funding rather than leaving the burden on districts.

"I urge Prime Minister James Marape and the National Executive Council to allocate a larger budget for health and establish a robust monitoring system to end the medicine shortages in the country," Namuesh said.

"Our people should not be forced to run to pharmacies and private hospitals for drugs all the time. Our public health system must improve."

Local MP Jason Peter said health remains a top priority alongside education. He revealed that K200,000 has been spent on medicine alone so far, confirming that the latest K100,000 batch follows a previous procurement.

Peter also announced the following investments in the district’s health sector with K650,000 allocated to improving infrastructure.

He said 22 centres that were previously closed have been reclaimed of which 10 are currently operational while 12 await the deployment of health officers.

Another K30,000 was allocated to support village birth attendants and K1 million proposed for a new health centre for the Morobe LLG.

The MP also announced that the Salamaua Level 3 Health Centre is scheduled to open on April 25, 2026.