After years of struggling without proper health services, the remote Dinangat community of ELC-Ukata District in Yus Local Level Government of Kabwum District now has renewed hope with the opening of a new aid post on March 20, 2026. Dinangat is one of the remote communities in the Yus area, where access to transport and basic government services remains difficult, making health care a major challenge for local families.
The new facility, opened by Lutheran Health Services (LHS), marks an important step for people in Dinangat and surrounding communities who have long faced hardship in accessing basic medical care. For many families in this part of Yus, reaching services often involves long walks and limited transport options, so the presence of a functioning aid post closer to the people is significant.
Lutheran Health Secretary Mr Japalis Kaiok, Ministerial Training Division Secretary Rev Giesa Panpan, and Yus Local Level Government President Hon. Jonah Epemu officially cut the ribbon to open the new health facility, witnessed by delegates from LHS, the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MoPHA), and local people from Ward 4.
The occasion also marked the official handover of the facility, with an exchange of gifts, food, and gratitude between Kabwum District Health Manager Karoi Kamac, representing MoPHA, local people representing their aid post, Rev Panpan representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, and LHS Human Resource Officer Daina Revit representing LHS.
According to the locals, Dinangat aid post was established in 1981 as a government-run health facility, but over the years it operated only on an ad hoc basis due to inconsistent medical supplies and the absence of a health worker. This year, an agreement was reached for MoPHA to hand over the facility to LHS to manage.
A local community health worker (CHW), Tommy Yambat, who has volunteered at Dinangat aid post since 2020, said the facility had been without a health worker for more than 20 years.
Mr Yambat said he came to Dinangat and realized that there was an aid post but no health worker, so being a CHW, he talked with the leaders and served there, assisting people who needed medical help.
He said that after five years of working as a volunteer, he was finally recognized by MoPHA for his effort, commitment, and sacrifice, and was given the CHW position last year.
LHS has now posted another CHW, Wama Pawap, to assist Tommy Yambat at Dinangat aid post.
Mr Yambat said the aid post serves people from Ward 4, Ward 5, and Ward 6, providing outpatient services, delivery, antenatal care, mini-operations, and basic laboratory tests for common medical cases.
He said complicated cases result in death, especially among mothers in labor and patients suffering from tuberculosis, breast cancer, ulcers, and other curable diseases, because reaching the nearest health facilities in Erap and Wantoat takes three days’ walk. This underlines the reality of life in remote Yus, where distance, terrain, and the lack of reliable transport can turn treatable conditions into life-threatening situations.
“I am very happy to have CHW Pawap with me so we can work together to save lives in our remote villages and with LHS taking this facility, I look forward to get the support needed in terms of consistent medical supplies and other facility needs,” Mr Yambat added.
Morobe LHS Regional Health Manager Joel Ronapo thanked the government for providing this vital service to the people of Dinangat, saying LHS is ready to support the facility under the new transfer arrangement.
Mr Ronapo said the process to bring the facility under LHS was accepted through the church governance system, from the circuit level to the National Church Council, and they were happy that it was achieved.
He said the new facility received funding support from LHS for completion and urged the local community to look after the health facility and the health workers posted there.
“We are all happy and satisfied today to witness the opening and we expect you, Dinangat community to look after these health workers and aidpost,” Mr Ronapo added.
The new aid post is made of bush materials and includes an outpatient room, stock room, and injection room, which will complement the old aid post that is still in use.
Kabwum District Health Manager Karoi Kamac thanked LHS for taking Dinangat aid post under its management, saying churches and government work together for one purpose, and that is to deliver health services to the people.
Mr Kamac said LHS has a good reputation for posting health workers who do not just leave when facing challenges while serving, but know their purpose and calling, and therefore remain committed to serve.
He reaffirmed his support for LHS facilities in Kabwum, stating that his office is willing to work with health workers and support their programs in their catchment areas.
Lutheran Health Secretary Japalis Kaiok thanked LHS Morobe for the initiative and effort to prepare the facility for use, adding that LHS will support it in the ways it can and that the community must look after this service.
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