By 
GHRD Research Team
Pixabay, October 8, 2015
As increased closure of rural aid facilities looms, citizens, in particular, expecting mothers and newborns, are grasping for proper medical support to ensure their health.
The residents of Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea are facing a huge predicament as 50 percent of their 352 rural aid facilities have been shut down. The Morobe Provincial Health Authority confirmed that the reason behind this decision is the scarcity of resources. Several factors contributed, such as complications with the infrastructure and a shortage of manpower. This development poses significant challenges for individuals residing in rural areas, where access to resources and support services is often limited. It is reported that only 22 percent of the approximately 670,000 inhabitants of Morobe Province reside in Lae, which is the capital. Meanwhile, the other 78 percent live in the countryside, where they may be secluded from basic healthcare.
Critical consequences are in store for this move because many people will be deprived of treatment and examination that are key to curing and preventing diseases. This pressing issue has already led to the passing of people from illnesses that are only curable if addressed early. It is also worrying for women since they are in need of medical attention from experts when giving birth. Hence, the cessation of operations of the aid posts exposes mothers and newborns to risks of childbirth-related complications and even mortality.
This desperate situation underscores the deplorable healthcare conditions that remote communities in Papua New Guinea encounter. Since a considerable portion of the population is based in rural areas, they are given unjust care and are left to suffer from their ailments without critical medical services. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and infants, as the process of childbirth requires that professional help be available.
On this account, there is an alarming demand to fix the healthcare system to cater to the varying circumstances without neglecting those in isolated places. All citizens deserve access to medical assistance, and this can be secured by reassessing the overall resources and allocating funds to maintain health centres and to build the capacity of qualified people to become practitioners.
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