Bringing healthcare closer to home - Lydia's story

For Lydia Jovei, becoming a Community Health Worker (CHW) has always been about one thing: returning to her home community of Hariko, in Papua New Guinea’s Oro Province, to provide the healthcare that was missing throughout her childhood.

“I wanted to become a health worker because in my community there are no proper health services and some of the people in the community are dying because of the lack of health service.”

Lydia’s determination grew from a deeply personal experience. In 2007, her mother suffered a severe postpartum haemorrhage while giving birth. With no resident health worker in Hariko, she was fortunate that a visiting health professional was available to help.

Determined to make a difference, Lydia began volunteering as a Village Health Volunteer. In 2019, she attended maternal and neonatal healthcare training in Kokoda, delivered by a team from the Australian College of Neonatal Nurses, including KTF Nursing Advisor Adjunct Professor Karen Walker.

However, financial constraints threatened Lydia’s ambition to become a qualified health worker. Through the Carolyn Lister Memorial Scholarship, she received support to study at St Margaret’s Community Health Worker School, covering her tuition fees, uniforms and essential medical equipment, including a blood pressure monitor and stethoscope. Lydia graduated in December 2024 and currently works at Oro Bay Health Centre. Her responsibilities include treating patients, providing maternal health and family planning advice, and participating in outreach patrols delivering essential immunisations. She has also undertaken further KTF-supported training in tuberculosis management, gender-based violence referral pathways and disability inclusion.

Working across remote communities brings its own challenges, particularly when communicating important health information.

“As a Community Health Worker working at Orobay health center and going out for patrol especially immunisation programs I am experiencing different climates and also dealing with parents who are illiterate but I manage to make sure the parents understand the importance of vaccines and bring their child for vaccination”

Lydia's ultimate goal remains to return to Hariko, where access to healthcare has historically required residents to travel long distances, sometimes carrying patients to neighbouring communities.

Plans are underway for Lydia to relocate to Hariko Aid Post, potentially during 2026. For Lydia, this move would represent the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

“I’m really proud that I will be working in Hariko Aid post. This is because that is my dream, that when I finish my studies, I will go back there to help my community.”