A study of Aid Post Orderly performance in the Wapi Valley in the Enga Province, Papua New Guinea

Aid Post Orderlies provide the bulk of primary medical care in rural areas of Papua New Guinea, where the majority of people live. In the Wapi valley in Enga Province, three Aid Posts were established in 1967, and a fourth was added in 1970. The present study, carried out in 1975 showed that, compared with earlier surveys of health, a dramatic reduction in morbidity had followed. The improvement in health in the area served by the Aid Post opened in 1970, appeared to indicate the effectiveness of the Aid Post Orderly alone, as Maternal Child Health clinics had not commenced in his territory. The Government tends to underrate the value of Aid Post Orderlies. This study supports the view that these health workers can play a vital role in the delivery of health care, and they should have the full support of the community and the Government.