MAPRIK, EAST SEPIK – March 27, 2026 After five years of uncertainty, sacrifice, and determination, the South Sea Evangelical Church Albinama Community Health Worker Training School (CHWTS) has celebrated its first-ever graduation ceremony, marking a historic milestone for rural health in Papua New Guinea.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, a total of 96 pioneer graduates—56 from the first batch and 40 from the second—were certified as Community Health Workers. Their achievement represents not only academic success but also resilience and the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream for the Maprik District and beyond.
For years, Albinama CHWTS operated without a license, leaving students unable to graduate and tutors working without pay. Principal Mr. Wilson Mala reflected: “Two batches of students have been waiting for five years. Our tutors have sacrificed without pay or allowances. We only ask that the school be licensed so our students can finally graduate.”
That breakthrough came in November 2025, when the PNG Medical Board officially licensed the school after persistent inspections and advocacy by the National Department of Health (NDoH), Christian Health Services PNG (CHSPNG), and the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority (ESPHA). During the graduation, Medical Board Registrar Dr. Alphonse Tei formally presented the license to CHSPNG Deputy CEO Mr. Bernard Rutmat, who handed it to Principal Mala—a moment that symbolized victory after years of struggle.
The graduation was attended by provincial leaders, NDoH officials, CHSPNG representatives, and community members. Representing the Governor, Deputy Governor Hon Manuel Ganai stood as Guest of Honor, underscoring provincial commitment to the school’s future.
In his keynote speech, Deputy CEO Rutmat inspired the graduates: “We stand here today at a truly historical intersection. Looking out at you, I do not just see pioneer graduates. I see architects. I see the foundation stones for SSEC, ESP, CHSPNG, and the Department of Health at Albinama CHW School now laid. Care is not just something you do; it’s something you become. Care is action.”
The graduates were encouraged t to embody compassion in their service: “Treat patients with kindness and a smile, not with frustration or aggression. A warm expression is often the first medicine. Serve with care, love, and a smile on your face.
Student Representative David Bai Jr. expressed gratitude to the Albinama community: “It’s been a long and challenging journey for us pioneers. Now, finally, we are graduating after five years of waiting. Just as you looked after us, look after the next students who will follow.”
The graduation aligns with national priorities under the National Health Plan 2021–2030, which emphasizes strengthening primary healthcare and universal health coverage. The 96 graduates are now equipped to deliver essential services—maternal and child health, immunization, disease prevention, and health promotion—critical interventions for communities burdened by malaria, TB, pneumonia, and maternal complications.
The inclusion of SSEC Albinama CHW Training School brings the total number of CHS institutions to 19 colleges nationwide, reinforcing its role as a strategic partner in addressing workforce shortages. ESPHA has pledged continued investment in expanding training capacity, improving facilities, and integrating graduates into the provincial health system.
The SSEC Albinama CHW Training School’s journey—from operating under a single shelter without a license, to standing proudly as a certified institution producing frontline health workers—embodies resilience, faith, and partnership.
As the graduate’s step into their roles, they carry not only certificates but also the weight of history. Their achievement is a collective victory for rural health in Papua New Guinea, proving that persistence and partnership can transform challenges into triumphs.
