Story by Ms Theresa Palou (Manager, Pathology Services at Goroka General Hospital)

The hospital management took the initiative to invite the prisoners from the Bihute Correctional Services for a week to clean the Hospital which was also welcomed by the Correctional Services management.

This event took place on the 18th – 22nd of August, 2008. The prisoner’s team comprised of 20 of which 8 were females. The 12 male were responsible for cleaning the hospital lawn, the flower beds and the drains whilst the 8 females clean and scrubbed the walls of the wards and the buildings.

In return the hospital provided them with morning and afternoon tea and also lunch. The lunch provided was especially appreciated as our kitchen staff cooked them food that they normally don’t have whilst in prison. This was fully funded by the Hospital management and due to its success is envisaging this to take place on a regular basis. At the end of the week the Hospital looked beautiful and clean including the wards.