The Vunapaka Health Centre, located in the Reimber LLG of the Gazelle District in East New Britain and serving a population of more than 22, 000, is now far more visible thanks to a newly launched signboard. 

While a sign might not seem like a major architectural milestone to celebrate, for the local community it proudly highlights the presence of a vital health facility and its services that have been running since the 1960s.

Tucked slightly behind a small hilltop, the health centre serves 15 wards, reaching as far as the Rabaul District. 

Officer In Charge (OIC) Dorah Edwards Mapoa shared that a dedicated team of eight staff members serves daily to provide all the essential care expected at a health centre level.

“There are nurses and community health workers stationed in the outpatient, general ward, post-natal and the labour ward.”

“It is quite challenging with the strength of manpower we have to further provide for the family planning services, antenatal, baby clinics and disease control.”

As a Level 3 facility, Vunapaka Health Centre delivers a full range of medical services to meet the community’s needs. 

Despite its comprehensive care, clear signage directing patients to the area’s most critical health services was missing- until four midwife students from Divine Word University (DWU) Rabaul Campus stepped in during their seven-week training placement to make it a reality.

The newly constructed signboard prominently showcases the facility’s vital services, spanning maternal and child healthcare to general medical treatment. 

Rosah Andrew, one of the midwife trainees, noted that the health centre serves as a beacon of hope for the region.

“This is a place of healing that we realized that having a clear, professional sign is essential for visibility, community awareness, and easy identification, so that no mother or patient must struggle to find the critical service they need.”

With the new sign now standing as a guiding light, the surrounding communities share a collective responsibility to take ownership of the health centre, protecting its facilities, resources, and dedicated staff.