News

World TB Day Campaign 

March 24th 2024

Our staff  went out to do awareness to the community to commemorate the World TB Day Campaign. Speaking in different
schools and markets places to ensure people have the right information regarding TB.
123
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Medical Student Update

Pranav Satish (6th year University College London) 29th March to 17th May 2024.

IMG-20240527-WA0003
Getting here
The journey here was not straightforward. Due to the rural location of the hospital and cities in PNG being poorly connected, try and plan a couple of days to travel here. Personally, my journey was London -> Singapore -> Port Moresby -> Mount Hagen -> Kompiam. The first 3 legs were flights, but at Mount Hagen I was picked up by the lovely Andrew who works for the hospital as a driver.
Go here to continue reading Prava’s Survival Guide!  https://kompiamhospital.org/want-to-visit-or-help/getting-here/
__________________________________________________________________

Introducing

The Meri Lift Program

04th March 2024

We thank our sponsor – Bread for the World for funding the 1st Phase of the program which is the Research Stage.

”If we can show that it works here, then for the future, hopefully for the highlands region and maybe one that’s country wide” Dr Mills

Introducing     The MeriLift Program by Kompiam District Hospital

28th Feb – SIL Helicopter arrives in Kompiam 

About : Meri Lift

Meri Lift Program is a formal medical retrieval program that has been in the works for many years. It is for the retrevial of pregnant women across the remote parts of northern Enga, Southern Angoram district, Middle Ramu in Madang, Western Jiwaka and Upper Mul Baiyer.

In those remote corners, the rate of death and injuries to women having babies is the highest anywhere in the country, and very high by world standards. We need to explore ways in which we can help mothers that are pregnant through various means of primary care, access to family planning and access to emergency medical retrieval when they need it.

Enga Baptist Health Services (2)

Phase 1 : The Research Stage

Meri Lift Program is currently undergoing it’s 1st phase which is purely the research stage. This is to explore a coordinated way to retrieve, treat and return patients (pregnant mothers) efficiently from places mentioned. (Northern Enga, Southern Angoram district, Middle Ramu in Madang, Western Jiwaka and Upper Mul Baiyer. )

”That’s what this is about, it’s very much the first step – trying to show that it can work if the money is provided in this corner of the world, and the plan will be to hopefully get a fully funded program for Kompiam and East Sepik. If we can show that it works here, then hopefully next for the highlands region and maybe one that’s country wide”. Dr Mills

This MeriLift program has been worked on since 2011 and it’s been given a lot of thought over the years. The fact that we’ve been patrolling these remote areas via MAF aircraft and sometimes by foot, we have a knowledge of what’s out there, but we haven’t had the resources to do much more about it.

Building infrastructure in Kompiam Hospital over the years, such as the ;

  • Mothers Waiting Houses – funded by the Digicel Foundation,
  • New operating theater
  • and having 4 doctors

has improved the capacity issues for our hospital, and now we can move to the next stage of actually bringing people from these remote areas here through this program.

F31B492A-1C39-426E-8FB3-F845C197C47F

Future of Meri Lift 

We are looking at the prospect in the future of the country possibly establishing a formal Flying Doctor type scenario – where anyone can call at any time and an aircraft will be made available via some route to get them where they need to go.

Ideally it could be funded by the government, but not operated by the government.

Before we can get to that point, we need to get there step by step by doing the research to find out what works and what doesn’t, and also to be able to provide the data to show that it makes a difference.

48EC66B1-2064-49D7-A1F2-7FAF38066A3D

CHALLENGES FACING Meri Lift

1. Expensive – Funding of Over 4 million Kina

Flying helicopters around Papua New Guinea is an expensive exercise. Therefore, running a program of this size will requires millions in funding.

2. Communication Barrier – Establishing radio/telephone communications will be difficult at first. In addition, when taking calls by radio/phone, how can we best filter cases that need serious evacuation.

3. Efficiency of Aircraft Movement – This will be a serious challenge. How do we manage the load in the most efficient way – how do we effectively move patients back and forth while ensuring that the aircraft is fully utilised – for example, where in the process of returning patients home, we need to make sure that the aircraft is fully utilised and doesn’t come back empty.

4. Adequate Hospital infrastructure to facilitate high volume of patients

Ensuring that patients are treated and cared for by means of providing – adequate accommodation (waiting houses for mothers) and doctors and clinical staff to deal with the high volume of patients coming through.

We’ve had to consider all these things here (Kompiam), where we’ve built a waiting house (funded by the Digicel Foundation) for mothers to stay before birth and afterwards, awaiting return flights. With the increase in pregnant mothers coming in, the number of births will increase significantly, tripling the load, which means the hospital will need more staff.Enga Baptist Health Services (3)

Thank You To Our Partners! 

Funded By :  Bread for the World

Aivation Supplier: SIL Aviation Papua New Guinea

____________________________________________

2023 June 12th – OPENING OF THE RURAL CLINICAL SCHOOL

Kompiam Hospital is proud to announce the opening of the Rural Clinical School. A project long
looked forward to and patiently worked hard for has finally come to fruition. This Rural Clinical School is a branch of the University of Papua New Guinea School of
Medicine and Health Sciences. The School will serve as the training centre for 5th-year med students from the UPNG MBBS program who will come to spend 12 months completing their 5th-year studies here in Kompiam. Here, they will have combined theory and practical learning, gettingfirst-hand experience on what being a rural doctor in PNG really looks like. The School is currently designed to accommodate and train 8 students at a time. However in the future, we hope to have
both 4th and 5th year med students here.
This project was jointly funded by DFAT, an Australian Govt. Organisation and the Old Dart
Foundation (ODF), a UK charitable organisation. We recognise the help given by these donors,
without whose support the Hospital would not have achieved this much.
Coming to open the building was the Health Minister, Dr. Tom Lino, who was also accompanied
by ODF personnel and DFAT reps. We also had the pleasure of having the Governor, Hon. Peter
Ipatas, come to witness the opening.
It was a momentous occasion and we are grateful to all who have made this phase of the
Hospital a possibility. Praise be to God for the successful completion of the Rural Clinical School.

Pre launch Prep (9)

2023 May – Visitors from School of Medicine and Health Sciences 

This month, Dr David Mills was accompanied by Professor Nakapi Tefuarani (Executive Dean UPNG, SMHS), Dr Pauline Wake (Anesthesia) and Dr Desmond Aisi (Chief of Emergency Medicine) on a visit to the hospital.

They came to check the progress of the new building under construction that will facilitate the Rural Doctors’ Training School.

Pre launch Prep (6)

 Pre launch Prep (7)
______________________________________________________________

2023 April – Beth Glasby,  Volunteer Teacher for K.I.S.

Kompiam International School ended the year 2022 unsure if they would have enough teachers for this year. However, God has always provided whenever we needed it. And so in faith, the school “prepared the field for rain,” so to speak. And that blessing has come in the form of a young teacher, Beth Glasby. Coming to us from Melbourne, Australia, Beth has been teaching and working at the school since the beginning of the school year. Taking on the Upper Primary and Secondary classes, Miss Glasby has truly helped to lighten the load of the school staff. And because all good things must someday come to an end, Beth must now leave us. Yet, we are immensely grateful for the time and effort she has given the school. And as always, we wait on God to provide for the future, whether from home or afar.
IMG-20230627-WA0021
_______________________________________________________________

2023 March – Maarten Honkoop

March — Early this month, Maarten Honkoop, a documentary film-maker, visited the hospital. And taking full advantage of his time and expertise, the dental department has had him work on a story on one of their patients. For this, the hospital is very grateful to Maarten. Though Mr. Honkoop has now left, we hope to have him back soon if time allows. Maarten Honkoop has also recently released his latest work, “Beyond the Island,” a docu-drama on the life of a HIV survivor here in PNG.
Click the link to find out more:  https://beyondtheisland.org/
 IMG-20230627-WA0048
_______________________________________________________________

2023 January – Lorraine Taking Over Pidgin Course

Recently, Kompiam Hospital has become the Community and Pidgin Language Orientation training centre for MAF volunteers coming into the country from around the world. This  “Pidgin Course” was  facilitated here in Kompiam by Mrs. Karina Mills since 2020. New MAF personnel coming in from overseas are usually flown to Kompiam, where they spend a fortnight learning Tok Pidgin and being introduced to the PNG culture. And now, this program has been taken over by Lorraine Thompson. With a team of volunteer trainers and helpers, Ms. Thompson has successfully “trained” two families so far this year. We look forward to a busy year for the Program and hope that many more people will come.
Pre launch Prep (4)
____________________________________________________________________

2023 January – New Principal for Kompiam Inter. School

Ms. Rita Pyambaru
This year, 2023, is Kompiam International School’s first year with Ms. Rita Pyambaru as the new Principal. Ms. Pyambaru, who is from of Kompiam, joined the school in October of last year, and has now taken on the role of Principal. We hope that this will be the first of many successful years for Ms. Pyambaru at the school. Thank you Rita for your commitment and service
IMG-20230627-WA0022
_________________________________________________________________

2023 – Dr Rachel Hopkins

Kompiam Hospital has had an additional doctor working here for the past six months. Dr. Rachel Hopkins, a UK doctor, joined the hospital staff in October of 2022, and has been working as a volunteer staff ever since. Now a valued member of the team, Dr. Hopkins has done multiple clinics, gone on bush patrols, and managed the base when there were no other doctors. We are truly thankful and appreciative of Dr. Hopkins’ service, her time, and her friendship.
IMG-20230627-WA0024
_____________________________________________________________

2023 – TRIAS TEAM

In the last few months, the hospital has had the privilege of working with TRIAS, an Indian software company. TRIAS is a software designed to collect and store patient data in a systematic manner.
Each patient coming into the hospital is registered into the system using fingerprint identification, which then creates a record of the patient’s medical history.
TRIAS is connected to departments such as the Pharmacy, Radiology, MCH, and Laboratory. Patients’ data collected in these departments is recorded and can be reviewed by doctors at anytime.
Replacing the “Health Record Book,” doctors can now use TRIAS to enter a patient’s data, such as previous medical histories, lab test results, drugs prescribed, surgeries done, and diseases identified.
TRIAS is also equipped with a bush patrol mode that enables doctors and health workers to enter a patient’s data collected during patrols. They can then sync that data into the TRIAS server once they are back at the hospital. This allows the hospital to keep a digital record of patients treated in rural areas, so that, if and when they come to hospital, they already have a written-down record of their past medical histories.
In a place like Kompiam, where tribal fights and natural disasters ensue, it is often very hard to keep accurate records of patients’ medical pasts. Health Record Books are often lost, ruined, or burned, and doctors and health workers find it quite difficult to find out about a patient’s history. TRIAS, however, ensures that the patient’s records are kept in a safe and accurate manner.
And as such, TRIAS has been installed into the hospital’s system. It is now already in use and has been since December of last year.
This program is a tremendous help to Kompiam District Hospital, and we look forward to a future made easier by TRIAS. Thanks be to God for this great blessing.
Pre launch Prep (3)
________________________________________________________________

2022 – End of year update of Kompiam Inter. School  

This year has been a massive year for Kompiam International School. Not only has the school held its’ 2nd graduation ceremony, but it has also been Mrs. Karina Mills’ last year as Principal of KIS.
Kompiam International School is beaming with pride as yet another three Secondary students have finished their Year 12 pathways and have graduated. This, the second graduation of the school, was held on December 5 of this year in the school’s newly built gymnasium.
Not only was this a graduation ceremony, but it was also the farewell ceremony of the outgoing Principal, Mrs. Karina Mills. Mrs. Mills — founder and principal of Kompiam International School — has resigned, after dedicatedly serving the school for 15 years. Almost synonymous with the name KIS, is the name and reputation of this wonderful woman, and many have loathed to see her go. Her work has been a powerful beacon and testament of the love of Christ. And as she leaves, we wish her all the best for the future, and hope to see her again, God willing. Thank you, Mrs. Mills for your hard work and service. God bless.
 IMG_0358
 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

June 2022 – Christian Health Services Annual General Meeting 2022

Launching of the GoPNG Payroll System Roll-Put to Christian Health Service Workforce

EBHS team attending the CHS 52nd Annual General Assembly where the theme was ‘Recapturing Christ’s Vision and Mission in the Delivery of Quality Health Services’.

It was at this meeting that many members of the CHS witnessed the launching of the new GoPNG Payroll System that where many employees of CHS agencies will be paid on the Alesco Payroll System.

Pre launch Prep (2)

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

June 2022 – Opening of the New Clinical Wing 

Today Kompiam Hospital opened its newest building—the Clinical Wing. The building was funded from DFAT (Australian Govt.) as part of a 5-year support package to Kompiam Hospital. This new Wing is the last part of a five stage building program. Coming to open the Clinical Wing was the Australian High Commissioner Hon. John Philp, who as accompanied by the Deputy Dean of UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences Professor Jonh Vince. Also among the guests were Deputy Enga Provincial Administrator, John Iso, and Todd Abbisher, the Director MAF PNG.
The completion of this Wing is a big milestone. We look forward to using it to its full capacity. Praise be to God for getting us this far.
Pre launch Prep Pre launch Prep (1)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2021 October- Zwijnenburgs Arrive! 

Jeroen and Diana Zwijnenburg, a Dutch-Australian couple, joined the Hospital in October of 2021. Officially with MAF PNG, the couple is based in here in Kompiam. Mr. Zwijnenburg works with MAF Administration while his wife, Diana, works at the hospital as a full-time doctor. The Zwijnenburgs have adjusted quite well to the culture, with some saying their Pidgin is “very Engan.” But Engan or not, we’re very glad they are here. And we pray and hope that God will continue to use them.
(Picture: Left: Diana,  Right: Jeroen)
IMG-20230627-WA0018
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2021 October –  New DNS 

After long years without a Director of Nursing Services, our prayers were answered when Sr Maureen Maharigu came to us in October of 2021. Taking on the DNS role, Sr. Maureen has shown a passionate dedication in her work that is truly a blessing. Having now been here for over two years, she has not only taken ownership of her staff and mentored them, but has also gone on multiple patrols, and even organised numerous festive events. Once again, we are reminded of the providence of God, and are grateful for His timing. (Picture: Maureen Maharigu)
IMG-20230428-WA0007 - Copy
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2021 March – New Staff Accommodations 

As part of a 5-year support package to Kompiam Hospital, DFAT –  an Australian Govt. Organisation – has been donating money to the construction of certain buildings around the hospital. Included in this package was the funding to build these new houses (pictured here). Completed over a couple of years, these buildings now serve to house  hospital staff.
IMG-20230627-WA0010IMG-20230627-WA0006IMG-20230627-WA0014IMG-20230627-WA0012
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2021 SEPTEMBER – U.S.  AMBASSADOR VISITS KOMPIAM

We are pleased to have had the American Ambassador, Erin McKee, visit the Hospital this morning.
Being flown here by MAF, her visit was brief but very exciting for the community here.
She attended a brief meeting with Dr Rebecca Williams where she was presented with medical data from the hospital and our remote health centers. In addition, Dr Williams identified the challenges in providing quality health services to remote areas, and how MAF is a lifeline between these remote communities and the health services we provide.
Ambassador McKee concluded her visit with a tour around the hospital facilities and even managed to stop by the school (Kompiam International School), before flying off to Yengis to visit one of our remote health centers.
3
1
 42
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2021 MAY – OPENING OF THE NEW WAITING HOUSE

In May, Serena Sumanop from Digicel PNG Foundation came to attend the opening of the new Waiting House. With the help of Digicel PNG Foundation, the hospital has built this new accomodation for pregnant mothers coming in from remote areas.  The mothers are taken care of by VHV workers(Village Health Volunteers) until they’ve safely delivered their babies and can return home. We thank Digicel PNG Foundation for providing funding for this project.
Blessings.

 

2020 – AUS. HIGH COM’S FIRST VISIT TO KOMPIAM HOSPITAL

The Australian High-Commissioner, Jon Philp, visited Kompiam District Hospital in June of 2020. He was accompanied by Sir Peter Ipatus on this, his first visit to the Hospital. He toured the hospital facilities, and stopped by the school(Kompiam International School).

IMG_0085 IMG_0071 IMG_0029 IMG_0041

 

2020 – MBBS 5TH YEAR STUDENTS RESUME TRAINING PROGRAM AFTER COVID 

June of 2020 saw the arrival of the first batch of MBBS 5th year students from the University of Papua New Guinea. And throughout 2020 and 2021, more students joined. Since 2019, COVID had prevented students from doing placement in Kompiam Hospital. However, we are pleased to resume the training program.

IMG_0007vvIMG-20210224-WA0004

 

DR. RYAN’S LAST DAY IN KOMPIAM – 1st AUGUST

Ryan has been a tremendous help at the hospital for the last 6 months. Being a familiar face, he’s adjusted pretty well to life here. Having come twice as a medical student, this time he’s here as a professional doctor and as been serving along side our staff. He has been a great colleague and friend to us all and we will surely miss him.

We are grateful for all his services and we pray God will continue to use him wherever he goes from here.

116681896_183879749998050_8258993012525453031_o(1)

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME! – 30th JULY

Kompiam Hospital like other Christian Health Services, receives monthly grants from the government for payment of salaries and the operational costs. However, due to delays and inconsistencies in the payment of the grants, the delivery of health services has been sluggish.

Having been pushed to the limit, we have had to make some tough decisions regarding the services, in order to cut costs and stretch our limited medical supplies. The hospital has shut down its clinics, routine admissions and elective surgery as of last month. The only services available are emergencies. Emergency surgery, dental and the labour ward is open. Patients with minor cases have been discharged while those who are seriously ill remain.

This has been a very difficult time for our members of staff as they are also directly affected. By the first week of June, we had finally reached our wits’ end financially, and were unable to pay our staff, which was first of a kind. The staff were given two options, whether to stay on and work for the daily pay of K20 worth of food from the hospital canteen, or, stay at home without pay until new grant had come in. Half of the staff stayed home while the other half came to work. At the end of the second week of June, we had received the monthly grant which ensured the return of all staff, who have worked at full capacity up to today.

Unfortunately, due to cuts to services, our greatest fear is that the people requiring these services will suffer. But for now, we are doing what we can with what resources we have available to serve. As we do, we hold fast the belief that God is good in all (good or bad) circumstances, we can be able to look upward to him for peace and strength to carry on serving. In doing so, we can be able to demonstrate the character of He who sends us and who loved first and best.

RURAL BLOCK ATTACHMENT FOR PNG MED STUDENTS – 09TH JUNE 

We are pleased to have five 5th year medical students from the University of Papua New Guinea, Medical Faculty here with us. Arriving last week Tuesday, they will be remain in Kompiam for four weeks carrying out their rural blocks as the training program recommences after halting due to COVID-19. 

BABY BUNDLES

The baby bundles was an idea that came out of a larger program we’re considering which is, evacuating women from bush places to be able to have their babies safely. Prier to spending many millions on establishing an aircraft retrieval program we thought we would first of all supplement it by trying to attract more women who can move on foot to at least get closer to the health centres to have their baby in. This we call the baby bundle incentive program. Its a program that’s been tried in other parts of PNG with some success. Really there is many reasons why women don’t choose to have their baby in a hospital and stay at home instead, so, for a lot of women, the balance is just not in favour of coming to a hospital when you consider how far they have to walk to get here. But by providing some incentive we hope to change this. The baby bundle contains some things that are difficult for them to get normally in their life, like nappies, umbrella and baby dish, all of the things that go towards looking after a new baby, but are prohibitively expensive for women on low income. By providing those on some cases have been just enough the incentive to push women in favour of coming here to have their baby so we’ve seen a very sharp increase in the number of women coming here as result, which is really encouraging.

1

 

2

STUDENT ELECTIVE PROGRAMS ON HOLD DUE TO COVID19 – March 2020

All student elective programs for 2020 are cancelled at least until August due to COVID19. Papua New Guinea has currently closed its borders now to any arrivals by non-citizens. The international travel restrictions and the uncertainty as to when this  pandemic will settle down are some factors that have contributed to this decision. In the mean time, for those students who have already arranged dates for their programs for this year, you are welcome to postpone or cancel as you wish by contacting us. However, for those students  interested in student electives programs for 2021, you are welcome to contact us to discuss the possibilities. We will give further update as travel restriction advice is made available. 

 

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN, TRIBAL FIGHT OVER – June 2017

For the past 5 months Kompiam Station has been in the middle of a large tribal fight. It has rocked the community and left many buildings burned and people killed or homeless. However, the tribes involved have begun the process of compensation in order to end the hostilities between them and bring peace back to the station.

 

NEW RADIO STATION MANAGER – February 2017

Kairu Tumae has taken on the role of radio announcer and station manager.

IMG_0003_4

 

NEW MATERNITY WARD OPENED – November 2016

This building includes a ward for mothers with newborn babies as well as a large delivery room.

IMG_0010

 

MEL KROENERT JOINS THE BUILDING TEAM

Since 2015 Mel Kroenert has been coming up to Kompiam to lend his building expertise to the hospital redevelopment project. His skill and knowledge is highly valued and has helped the project to continue smoothly.

 

GOODBYE TO MR MICK – December 2015

After four years of much appreciated and very productive service, Mick O’Donnell has left Kompiam to return to Australia. He has made a significant contribution to the construction project and will be greatly missed by us all.

IMG_5556

 

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING OPENED – September 2015

After years of planning and building, Kompiam International School finally opened their new double story school building. The building has four classrooms, a kindergarten, library, assembly room and office space. Needless to say there were some very excited students, teachers and parents.

IMG_0027

 

HANDOVER TAKEOVER FOR DNS – August 2015

From Left to Right: HEO Tania Yamo, outgoing DNS Keturah Bryson, new DNS Ruth Injo, Dante Lines

From Left to Right: HEO Tania Yamo, outgoing DNS Keturah Bryson, new DNS Ruth Injo, Dante Lines

It was a morning of heartbreaks and teardrops as Director of Nursing Services (DNS) for Kompiam District Hospital (KDH) Keturah Bryson say goodbye to both staff and community members.

Keturah who arrived in May last year (2014) was not a new comer to Kompiam. She had spent most of her childhood days here when her father was serving as a Baptist Missionary to the Sau people. She will return to Australia to pursue her career in Nursing with a new scope of perspective and approach.

Ruth Injo, who has arrived from Australia after completing her Degree program in Public Health Administration will take on the reins as the new Director of Nursing Services. Ms Injo who is from Kompiam was in charge for VHV Programs here in KDH before going down south to spend 3 years undergoing intensive studies. She will be leading the Nursing Department from where Keturah had left.

 

 

NEW HEO FOR KDH- July 2015

IMG_0002 for publish

Our burden to have a clinical Health Extension Officer has finally been alleviated by the recruitment of Tania Yamo. Tania got her Bachelor’s Degree in RURAL HEALTH SCIENCE at Divine Word University. She completed her two years residency in 2013 and 2014 with us right here in Kompiam District Hospital. She had arrived in Kompiam with her baby (pictured above) early this month and has commenced her duties on the 13th.

Tania hails from Yulip village in the Kompiam District and is a faithful Christian.

 

LONG SERVICE LEAVE AFTER 15 YEARS – June 2015

Dr David Mills and his family ready to drive out of Kompiam for their six months Long Service Leave.

Sunday the 21st of June marked the start of six months Long Service Leave for Medical Superintendent and “father” of Kompiam District Hospital, Dr David Mills.
In his final encouragement to fellow staff and management members, he expressed in fluent Pidgin, “I’ve been here for 15 years and I have observed many changes in Kompiam. In the past, Kompiam Hospital was very unstable…but now it has become like glue. Today you can see people coming here from everywhere. You have all worked together to bring about this change…Do not be discouraged, we will still be back.” (Translated)
Dr Mills and his family will spend a month in Australia and then return back to PNG to spend the rest of their break at Ukarumpa, Eastern Highlands Province. He will occasionally visit Kompiam Hospital during his stay in Goroka.

 

KIS graduates First Phonics Students – June 2015 

Phonics Graduation at Kompiam International School. Back Row Left to Right: Mrs Saphy Zanang (Supervisor), Mrs Jenny Jacky (Supervisor), Mrs Karina Mills (Principal), Ashley Mills (Part-time Supervisor), Natasha Mills (Part-Time Supervisor). Front Row Left to Right: Graduands Adriana Marpena, Chelsea Mills and McGween Injo displaying their Phonics Certificates.

Kompiam International School (KIS) has achieved a huge milestone on Friday the 19th of June when it saw three of its first Phonics students graduated with a Certificate.

The Phonics Program takes students through word lists that teach them how to sound out words and to apply the rules of English in spelling and reading. The Training had been conducted since 2012 for students Adriana Marpena, Chelsea Mills and McGween Injo.

The Principal of the School, Mrs Mills expressed satisfaction at the girls’ accomplishments, commenting proudly that, “They’ve actually done really well.” She also stated that many adults have approached her and requested some of the Phonics materials as they have seen “tangible results” of the Program.

Presented also at the graduation was Kompiam Town Counsellor and Education Field Officer for Baptist Union Mr James Timil.
Mr Timil who also has his daughter enrolled at Kompiam International School said, “So many parents came to enrol their kids here (Kompiam International School) but there was limited space.” He furthermore remarked that the community is aware that big things are going on at Kompiam International School.

New Maternity Ward and Classroom sets to Open Soon – May 2015

Work is taking an even faster pace as carpenters puts in extra efforts to complete the new maternity Ward and the new double classroom for the Kompiam International School. Hopes are high for the official opening to commence mid this year. Keep connected to Kompiam Hospital for progress.

Picture showing new Maternity Ward taking shape at Kompiam District Hospital.

The new classroom building for Kompiam International School entering its final stages of construction.

US Team Install New Solar System- May 2015

 

New set of solar panels catching sunlight to power up KDH operations.

Solar system installed by the team from United States.


As long as the sun is in the sky, the normal day to day operation of Kompiam Hospital will continue. This is made possible by four volunteers from the United States who arrived late last month to set up a 30 kilowatt solar system. The solar system will help reduce expenditure as well as increase work output by providing enough energy to run the entire hospital operations.

Medical Faculty Dean and DFAT Representative visits Kompiam Hospital – April 2015

Learning from the Master. Staff members at KDH watched closely as Senior Pediatrician assess a patient.

The Dean of Post Graduate studies, at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and Senior Pediatrician visited Kompiam District Hospital on the 20th – 22nd of April to assess the medical student training being conducted. Accompanying him was  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) representative who came to assess the programs offered here. DFAT heavily sponsor the operation of the SMHS and have a particular interest in the need to improve rural health services in PNG. The feedback given was highly positive and we look forward to continue to work with them since our strategic vision is to further facilitate the improvement of rural health practice in PNG.

Sunrise Brought Sunshine – April 2015

Three teachers from the Sunrise International School made a three day visit to Kompiam International School to see how two of their ex-students and teacher are getting along in the new school. It gave them an additional opportunity to observe the way the PACE curriculum is taught and administered to the students in an international school located in one of the rural areas of Papua New Guinea. During their stay, they participated in monitoring roles, teaching and even attempted bird watching. It was an exciting, satisfying and thoroughly different experience for them.

Students on Rural Block – April 2015

In Rural Medicine practice, its more than Ward Rounds and Surgeries. Here the Medical Superintendent of Kompiam District Hospital shows medical students how to be proactive yet creative in a situation where resources are limited.

Driven by the desire to serve. Medical students escorted by Dr Mills to one of Kompiam’s rural Health Centres.

Six M.B.B.S. students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Medical Faculty arrived on Saturday 18th April to begin their rural block here in Kompiam District Hospital. Apart from foot-patrols to outlying Aid Posts and Health Centers, they also participated in additional skills training such as general electrical wiring, plumbing and carpentry work around the Kompiam Hospital area. They felt very privileged to be able to get a chance to participate in such hands on activities such as doing X-Ray for patients which is not something they would normally get a chance to perform. Worth mentioning is the courage of their team leader, Wemin, who lost his small sister during the week of their rural block. He managed to put a smile on his face and get along with the group to complete their 4 weeks training successfully.

New Pathology technician – April 2015

Freda Sele, a new graduate from Medical Faculty in Port Moresby, has arrived to fill in the position of Officer in Charge for the Pathology Department. She was accompanied by her husband Beatus Wai, who is a graduate from Pacific Adventist University. He will be working part time as clerical assistant to the hospital administration, and part time as a monitor at the Kompiam International School.

Goodbye to the Smith Family – January 2015

After nearly a year of valuable service at Kompiam, we sadly say goodbye to Phil, Elizabeth, Alice, Betsy, and Phillipa. They will be doing a few months of work in Australia before returning to the U.K. later in the year to spend some time with family there and in the Shetlands. They will be missed and we wish them well.

Hospital Update August 2014

New Staff

In the last few months we have had 2 new families arrive. Dr Phillip and Elizabeth Smith were most recently based in Namatanai Hospital in New Ireland Province working with Australian Doctors International. They are Cairns based but originally from England and the Shetland Islands in Scotland. They have 3 young girls, Betsy, Alice and Phillipa.

Keturah Bryson has joined us as our Director of Nursing Services. She was most recently working in Community Health in South Australia and also has a history in PNG, spending time here as a child while her parents were missionaries in Kompiam. Her four children have also joined her, Matilda, Malachi, Dante and Phoenix.

We have also been excited to have our first two intakes of 5th year medical students from UPNG in Port Moresby. This has been a wonderful opportunity for these students to be exposed to rural medicine, with the hope that this is a career that some of them may pursue in the future as there is a great need for rural doctors in PNG. The students have stayed in Kompiam for approx 8 weeks, with 5 in the first group and 6 in the second. They have split their time between working in the hospital in Kompiam, and doing extended patrols out to the health centers in Alagula and Lapalama. It’s certainly taken some of them out of their comfort zones, but they seemed to have all enjoyed the experience and have plenty of stories to tell.

Building Update: 

Between the provincial and national government we have received enough funding to continue on with the hospital redevelopment and other building projects, which has been a wonderful answer to prayer. With 3 new carpenter trainees on board work is progressing on many fronts:

– The new maternity building is progressing well with the steel frame all up and work starting on the roofing. All the materials required for fit-out are now onsite with a container coming up from Australia earlier this year. The building is expected to be completed early next year. Our builder Mick is still cracking the whip and keep the boys on schedule on this project while he also finishes off the new kitchen.

– The old workshop was torn down to make way for the maternity building and we are starting to put together a new workshop using four 20′ shipping containers. This will also double some extra accommodation on the top level.

– We have almost completed a new house that will be used by the Village Health Volunteers as a maternity waiting house. This will accommodate high-risk pregnant women who can come early to the hospital rather than walking in when it’s too late.

– We have completed several projects already this year at some of our health centers with teams of builder and helpers going out for 1-2 weeks. Work has included a new house at Marambe, significant maintenance and upgrade to facilities at Alagula, Lapalama and Aiyokos, and water storage at Pyralum. In the coming months we have a significant project planned at Yengisa Health Center and some minor work at Mangao and Irepeno.

– Solar Vaccine fridges/freezers have now been fitted at the majority of our health centers and aid posts which had greatly increased the effectiveness of immunizations in remote areas of the province.

– We have just approved a project to install a 30KW solar power supply which will provide 24 hour / 240V power to the hospital. The system has been designed by a power expert who visited from the US, and purchasing of components has commenced in Germany and the US. It is planned to have this system up and running by April next year.

      

Kompiam International School:

With the hospital redevelopment ongoing, the school is going to have to move on soon to make way for the new buildings. Land has now been cleared within the compound and a double-story purpose-built school building has been purchased from Atlas Steel in Lae. Construction of the new school facilities is schedule to commence later this year. The school is a critical part of the hospital providing a valuable education option for the children of staff and also some children from the local community.  It has been an important tool in attracting new staff and retaining them here in this remote location.

     

 

 

Hospital Update August 2013

Rural Doctors Come to Kompiam

As part of the training for their Masters in Rural Medicine, six rural doctors came to Kompiam in July for a 2 week intensive training course in Management and Leadership.  By all accounts it was a great success and a significant benefit to these future leaders of rural medicine in PNG.

New Pediatric Ward Opens

On the 14th of August a ceremony was held to open the new Pediatric Ward of the hospital after almost 2 years of construction.  Dignitaries from the Provincial Government as well as representatives of SDP, CMC, the Australia High Commission, AusAid, MAF and others were present.  Media also attended the ceremony with coverage in the Newspapers, radio and TV. It was an exciting day for the hospital as well as the Kompiam community in general.

 

 

Hospital Update April 2013

New Doctor starts

Dr Eileen Totome has started with the hospital in March and will be based here in Kompiam as part of the MMED (Rural) training program,  which will see her here with us for much of the next 6 years.  It’s exciting to have her on board and adds a significant capability to the medical staff.

Dr Eileen Totome

Other New Arrivals

Also in March we had two families arrive in a volunteer basis. Garry and Barbara Duke are a retired couple from Victoria that have been in Kompiam previously and will likely be with us through 2013. Garry is helping out with maintenance and construction around the hospital and Barb is teaching the Kindergarten kids.

Russell and Wendy Conwell and their three girls Nancy, Heather and Bonnie were in Kompiam for 5 months in 2010 and have come back for another 2 years at this stage. Russell has taken on a role in administration and projects and Wendy is teaching the highschool kids (5 girls). It’s nice to have a few more kids of a similar age around and the girls are even starting a youth group.

Hospital Redevelopment
Construction continues to go well with the Pediatric ward almost complete and work ongoing on 3 new houses.  Our construction trainees have entered their second year and doing a great job.

New Staff Housing

New Pediatric ward

Construction Trainees

 

Kompiam International School

With the arrival back of the Mill’s family and our volunteers, school got underway in early March with approximately 25 students registered this year. We also received a small grant from the Provincial Government towards the expansion of the school and clearing is underway for the site of the new school building.  Fundraising opportunities are now being investigated to allow us to commence construction of the new building in 2014.  If you can help in anyway we’d love to hear from you (or refer to our donations page).

Presentation Time

Lower and Upper Primary

 

Mangao Aid Post Commences Operations

Mangao, one of our most isolated Aid Posts, commenced operations in March with Terence Baiang a Community Health Worker now stationed there full time. Refer to the Mangao Aid Post for further information.

Terence at the New Aid Post

 

 

Mangao airstrip – 420m joyride!

 

New Hospital Vehicles

Anyone who has traveled the Kompiam road will understand why our vehicles undergo a lot of wear and tear. Last year our repair and maintenance bill on our vehicles was one of the significant over-runs in our budget, and as such we felt it was time to sell the old vehicles and buys some new ones. We have subsequently replaced one of our open-back’s and also our Dyna truck. In addition the Provincial Government also donated a further open-back that will be very useful in supporting our general operations as well as the increased level of project work currently ongoing.

Open-back Donated by Enga Provincial Government

New Open-back

 

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

Hospital receives some long awaited funding.
May 2012

This week saw the long awaited arrival of K2 million (around A$1 million) in funding for hospital redevelopment work. Although another K3 in promises fell over, and we will still need at least another K4m to finish the project at Kompiam, we are still rejoicing to see this money arrive, that will enable us to continue construction apace for probably the next 24-36 months.

2012 elections heat up.
May 2012

Election fever is here again. With polls commencing later in June we are gearing up for the 5 yearly event that in times past has been fairly eventful in the highlands. Engans (and highlanders in general) take their politics very seriously, although hospital tries very hard to keep itself squarely in the middle ground. We will be stocking up on fuel and supplies though in the coming weeks, and keeping our heads down as best as possible until things calm down again in a few months time.

Ruth Injo off to Australia.
May 2012-05-31    

Ruth Injo has won herself a scholarship to study public health in Canberra for three years. As many of you know, Ruth has been heading up the Village Health Volunteer program for some years and before that was OIC at Marambe HC. We wish her and the girls well as they start a new life overseas, and look forward to their return.

2 Doctors to join Kompiam Hospital in 2013. 

November 2012

In the last two weeks we have confirmation that Drs Tina Yarong-Kote and Dr Eileen Totome will be joining staff from February next year. Both have expressed a desire to join the MMED (Rural) training program which would see them based out of Kompiam for the next 6 years while being intermittently released for training purposes. So this is really welcome news for us all here and will greatly expand our capacity for rural outreach over the coming years.

Lapalama student house

Lapalama Student House nearly finished. 

November 2012

With help from a work party organized by Dr Jackie Boyd, we were able to nearly complete work on the inside of the Lapalama mission house.

This house is slated to become the base for student activities in the area over the next few years. In particular, 2013 will see the start of rotations of 5th undergraduate medical students from the University of PNG, doing their 9 week rural blocks in public health. This house has been refurbished specifically with this development in mind and once fully operational will see students based in this remote area and patrolling out to even more remote locations such as Pyarulam.

 

Kompiam International School finishes it first staff house. November 2012

This week saw the completion of this house on the site allocated for the new school. Mrs Jenny Jacky, our volunteer teacher is taking occupancy of this really nice little house. An exciting first step in this new venture for KIS.

Paediatric ward under construction

Paediatric ward close to lock up stage. 

November 2012

The new paediatric ward is really taking shape now and will lock up probably at the end of next week. Although we predict there is still another 6 months of work until it is complete, there has been much rejoicing at the progress of this important project. There really has been nothing like it in Kompiam before, and the numbers of people who gather just to watch progress every day has been amazing to observe. We are just thanking God and looking forward expectantly to the next year. Continue to pray for Mick O’Donnell and our team of trainee workers, who thus far have been kept free from any injuries in the process.  Election updateNovember 2012

Elections have come but not yet gone for us in Kompiam. Relatively speaking we have made it through fairly unscathed thus far. The road was cut off to everyone except hospital traffic. The fact that we have been able to continue to go and come these last few months when everyone else was locked down has been a huge answer to prayer and testament to the respect the people have for the hospital. Things have not been as smooth for the community, with several people severely injured in election related fighting, cars burned and one candidate kidnapped. The end result was the incumbent, Mr John Pundari being declared the winner. This result is somehwat predictably being challenged in court now ( results in nearly two thirds of seats across the country are being challenged) Such court proceedings can take months or even years so although things have returned part way to normal, the spectre of a possible bi-election will loom large for some time yet.

image description