NCD Governor Powes Parkop has urged people living in and around KilaKila and surrounding areas to take ownership of their own health and work together to meet health challenges in their community.

He mentioned that health was a national government priority and acknowledged the churches input in providing health services through their various health agencies.

This was significant at the official ground breaking ceremony of the KilaKila urban clinic, a facility of the Foursquare Gospel Living Light church in July in which Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko and Mr Parkop officiated.

“Our health is our wealth. Let’s take control of our own health and live healthy lifestyles. It is part of our National Health Plan KRA 7 – Health Promotions. We must start now so we set the precedent for the next generation,” Parkop told the public.

The new clinic is an initiative of the health ministry of the 4-Square Living Light Church with funding support from US Aid and the office of the Member for Moresby South.

The current clinic is over 30 years old and serves people from KilaKila, Sabama, Kaugere, Pari and surrounding communities. The new clinic will have a new outpatient, specialist clinics for TB and HIV, gynaecology, dentist, laboratory, labour ward and paediatrics.

Mr Tkatchenko told the public gathered that importance of health in their communities started with themselves. He urged them to look after the clinic and support the health workers as it would benefit them in the long run.

He said Moresby South had more than a total population of 50, 000 people and had the highest number of TB cases in NCD. He stressed the importance of healthy lifestyles.

Mr Tkatchenko acknowledged the work of Churches in providing health services saying they were major partners with the government in achieving its goals in health service.

He thanked the Foursquare Living Light Health Ministry for the initiative and NCD health services for their support in enabling the project for the people of Moresby South.

Image gallery