Health
Access to high-quality health services by the community and OTML’s employees is a priority.Since mining began in 1984, Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has been the main provider and financial supporter of private and public health services throughout the Western Province.
We work closely with a number of multi-sectoral stakeholders for the provision of health services. These include the Fly River Provincial Health Department, various church-based providers, NGO’s and private health providers.
Tabubil Hospital
The Tabubil Hospital is an accredited five-star facility under the PNG Department of Health system. It is managed by Diwai Pharmaceutical Limited, a commercial subsidiary of Divine World University and is owned by OTML. Tabubil hospital is funded predominantly by OTML with a contribution from the Fly River Provincial Government (FRPG).
The hospital provides services to the North Fly District and Telefomin District communities and is the Western Province referral hospital, servicing the North, Middle and South Fly districts.
As a teaching hospital, Tabubil Hospital:
- Provides medical care and services to OTML employees and dependents, contractor employees and the general public;
- Provides a practical field for academic and clinical training programs of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Divine Word University; and
- Conducts medical research to provide input into Biomedical and Health Sciences research in PNG.
The Tabubil Hospital is a level 5 hospital with a capacity of 58 beds. It provides a range of services including general outpatient services, accident and emergency, general medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, operating theatre, maternal and child health clinics, family planning, cervical cancer testing, dental, laboratory, x-ray, occupational health, eye care clinic, VCT clinic, TB, STI and HIV clinic and community/ public health programs.
Tabubil Urban Clinic
The Tabubil Urban Clinic provides primary health care services and reduces the demand on tertiary health care services at Tabubil hospital.
The clinic undertakes regular health patrols and radio health consultations. Over the past several years approximately 20,000 consultations and approximately 5,000 vaccinations have been administered each year.
A community health education program delivers resources on diarrhoeal control, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, sexual health and personal hygiene.
North Fly Health Services Development Program & Community Mine Continuation Agreement Middle and South Fly Health Program
The North Fly Health Services Development Program (NFHSDP) and the Community Mine Continuation Agreement Middle and South Fly Health Program (CMSFHP) support health services in the Western Province.
NFHSDP is a community health program working in partnership with existing health service providers to improve the health of people in North Fly District and is an initiative of and funded by Ok Tedi Mining Limited and managed through OTDF.
NFHSDP commenced in 2009 for an initial five years and was extended for a further five years; the total value of the 10-year program is PGK58 million.
CMSFHP commenced in 2013 and is an initiative of and managed by OTDF and funded through the CMCA portion of the Western Province People’s Dividend Trust Fund.
In 2016, the North Fly Health Services Development Program (NFHSDP) and Middle and South Fly Health Program (CMSFHP) were integrated into a single program. Program delivery is co-ordinated through Abt Associates in collaboration with local providers.
Abt Associates worked with the health partners to develop a two-year transition plan to hand over the program to the Government and Health Service Providers. The plan focuses on the transition from direct clinical inputs towards working with partners to identify impediments to achieving sustainable health services and maintaining the significant health improvements in the Western Province.
Since the integration of rural health services, there have been significant improvements in all 16 health indicators across the Western Province. In 2017 the Province ranked no 4 across PNG and is well above the national average.
In 2019, the Fly River Provincial Government will be establishing the Provincial Health Authority to take over responsibility for managing health services in the Province.
Village Health Programs
Community health has been identified as an area requiring significant village-based programs, and the Village Health Volunteer program provides the structure and training for each village’s frontline health services.
Likewise, HIV awareness and mothers’ classes help to reduce mortality rates as well as increase understanding and inclusion in the community.
