THE Namatanai electorate’s largest Local Level Government – Sentral Niu Ailan in New Ireland recently (Wednesday June 30, 2021) witnessed the official opening of a TB ward and staff duplex building at Kimadan Health Centre along the Boluminski highway.
The health centre established in 1957 by the United Church is located on the east coast central of New Ireland and serves the people of the catchment areas including Lamasong, Karu, Lelet and also extends to Tabar Island, West Coast Namatanai and Bol.
Local MP and Minister for Forests Walter Schnaubelt who assisted with counterpart funding and completion of the two infrastructures through the Namatanai District Development Authority (NDDA) said this is the first time for any district in the country to establish a TB ward.
“This is the first of its kind and with the gradual increase in the number of TB patients in the area, it is my duty as your leader to help address the plight of this dreaded disease and prevent it from spreading in our communities,” Mr Schnaubelt said.
The TB ward and staff duplex building costed a total of K416,000 through counterpart funding with the NDDA contributing almost K300,000 while the rest of the funding came from Big Tabar Landowners Association and United Church Christian Health Services and the Kimadan Health Centre.
Minister Schnaubelt who has the heart for his people said United Church has been a good partner since his election in 2017 and will maintain that partnership going forward.
“I’m your leader and I will never forget you as long as you’re in my heart and not on my mind because when you’re on my mind I forget easily.
Mr Schnaubelt also announced the first installment payment of K250,000 for a Teachers College to be built at Kimidan in partnership with the United Church in New Ireland.
“I’m not here to waste time like the others who said to build the first New Ireland University. Let’s not send our kids to other teachers’ colleges outside, let’s train our own here at our doorstep.”
United Church New Ireland Region, Bishop Stanley Lavoi commended Schnaubelt’s never ending support to the churches in the electorate and said United Church will always partner with visionary leaders who have the heart for the people.
Also Sentral Niu Ailan LLG President Ben Sakbua said his LLG has been the biggest recipient of vital government services and projects than any other LLGs in the district from the NDDA under the leadership of MP Schnaubelt.
“Sentral people have voted a good leader and man of action. Our schools and churches have benefited immensely and for the record over K1 million has been pumped into the LLG in various projects as well. Is that not a ‘belhat development’,” Mr Sakbua said.