More than an apple: supporting accessible immunisations, maternal and child health services to last-mile communities!

While the common saying is an apple a day to keep the doctor away, we are delivering much more to strengthen health resilience in last-mile communities. In partnership with Australian Doctors International and Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the village health assistant (VHA) program aims to increase demand, uptake and access to routine immunisations, and maternal and child health services in the remote areas of Emo River, Itokama, Safia, Kira and Sangara.

Working alongside the Northern Provincial Health Authority team, the VHA program has already completed patrols to Emo River, Safia LLG and Itokama, extremely remote areas without access to regular health services and very low immunisation rates. So far the team have provided 3,420+ immunisations, 4,870+ health examinations and delivered critical health information to 940+ people.

We look forward to patrol teams visiting more remote communities across Oro province between now and the end of the year, providing access to primary healthcare services many of us take for granted.

The KTF VHA program is supported by the Australian Government, ADI and delivered alongside the Northern Provincial Health Authority.