Papua New Guinea is a country of diverse cultures, languages, and landscapes. Among its many attractions, there are some hidden gems that are worth exploring for the adventurous traveler. One of these is the Yampu Health Centre, a remote hospital and community center in the Enga Province, located in the northwestern part of the highlands region.
The history of the Yampu Health Centre dates back to the 1950s, when it was built by the Divine Word Missionaries, a Catholic religious order that came to Papua New Guinea from Germany. The missionaries established the health center in the Ambum Valley, a fertile and scenic area surrounded by mountains and rivers. The health center served the local people of the Enga Province, who belong to one of the largest ethnic groups in Papua New Guinea and speak a single language called Enga. The health center also became a base for evangelization and education, as the missionaries built schools and churches in the nearby villages.
The Yampu Health Centre is still operating today, providing curative and preventive health services to the people of Ambum Valley and beyond. The health center has a staff of about 30 people, including doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and administrators. The health center also has a dental clinic, an eye clinic, a maternity ward, a tuberculosis ward, and a general ward. The health center is equipped with basic medical facilities and supplies, such as an X-ray machine, an ultrasound machine, a microscope, a blood bank, and a pharmacy. The health center also has a generator, a water tank, and a satellite dish for communication.
The Yampu Health Centre is not only a hospital, but also a community center that hosts various activities and events for the local people. The health center organizes health education programs, such as workshops on family planning, nutrition, hygiene, HIV/AIDS prevention, and malaria control. The health center also supports community development projects, such as water supply systems, sanitation facilities, agriculture extension services, and women’s empowerment groups. The health center also celebrates cultural festivals, such as Christmas, Easter, Independence Day, and Enga Cultural Show.
The Yampu Health Centre is a hidden gem in the highlands of Papua New Guinea that offers a unique opportunity to experience the culture and nature of the Enga Province. The health center welcomes visitors who are interested in learning more about its history and mission, as well as its current challenges and achievements. The health center also offers accommodation for visitors who want to stay overnight or longer. The accommodation consists of simple but comfortable rooms with beds, mosquito nets, blankets, towels, and toilets. The visitors can also enjoy meals prepared by the staff using local ingredients such as sweet potatoes, corn, beans, greens, bananas, pineapples, and pork.
The Yampu Health Centre is located in the Ambum Valley1, about 50 kilometers from Wabag2, the capital town of the Enga Province3. The easiest way to get to the health center is by flying to Wapenamanda Airport4, which has regular flights from Port Moresby5, the capital city of Papua New Guinea. From Wapenamanda Airport4, visitors can take a public motor vehicle (PMV) or hire a private car to reach the health center. The road trip takes about an hour and a half and passes through scenic landscapes of mountains and valleys.
The Yampu Health Centre is a hidden gem in the highlands of Papua New Guinea that deserves more attention and appreciation from both locals and foreigners. It is a place where visitors can witness the dedication and compassion of the staff who serve the people of Enga Province with limited resources and facilities. It is also a place where visitors can experience the beauty and diversity of the Enga culture and environment that have been preserved for generations.
References:
1: Google Coordinates on google map 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabag 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enga_Province 4: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wapenamanda_Airport 5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Moresby