KTF assists critical health patrols for pertussis outbreak in Oro Province

KTF’s Healthy Communities program has supported health patrols that have jumped to assist with the pertussis outbreak in Oro Province. Mobilizing swiftly, KTF is supporting a Kokoda Memorial Hospital outreach health team with staff, resources and medicine. KTF community health workers, Jessica, Maggie and Ian have joined the Kokoda Memorial Hospital pertussis outbreak response patrol.

This vital health team has had to traverse challenging terrain to reach these remote villages, at times the expedition called for trekking on foot through dense rainforest and bush or travelling in patrol car through raging rivers, in sweltering summer temperatures to reach tiny remote villages. There have been times when the health patrol car has had to set up next to the road to deliver vaccinations to those who have flagged them down. Providing critical primary healthcare and vaccinations to adults children and seniors, the KTF and Kokoda Memorial Hospital patrols are visiting five villages, travelling from the Kumusi River down to Kokoda to Asisi, Sirorata, Jejemba, Siava and Eiwo.

Furthermore, KTF extends its support to an additional patrol team dispatched from Sangara Health Centre. Working together, this health team also seeks to bring invaluable primary healthcare services and vaccinations to the remote villages of Jejemba, Pekuma, Sangara block, and Monge, building up health security in Oro Province.

KTF’s Healthy Communities is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and is committed to bringing high-quality and accessible healthcare to rural and remote communities.