By WASITA ROYAL
The Healthy Island Concept (HIC) has been officially launched in East New Britain’s Gazelle District, with a focus on bringing clean water, sanitary toilets, and better living conditions to the village level.
The concept was launched last Friday during the local level government leaders’ induction in Gazelle District.
The Director for Public Health, Dr Mathew Mongolop, launched the program with Provincial Administrator Levi Mano.
Dr Mongolop said progress on the HIC has been slow across Papua New Guinea, but the provincial government and health authority are now focused on rolling it out at the ward level. He added that community ownership is the key to success.
He explained that ward members must take the lead in providing necessary information to health authorities so the government can improve coverage rates. He also stated that it is all about taking ownership and being responsible for one’s own health.
The HIC remains a high priority under the new National Health Plan, aiming for a holistic approach that includes safe water supply, sanitary toilets, well-maintained villages, and clean homes.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Mano announced that the provincial government is fully supporting the initiative, with this year’s budget mainly tied to local level governments.
He said most of the population lives in the villages, and the government wants people to live and make a living there by committing the budget to projects at the LLG level. He added that people need to have patience, as achieving results may take the next five years.
The HIC rollout continues across East New Britain as the provincial government and health authorities work together to strengthen health outcomes at the community level.