More than 130 pieces of medical equipment have arrived in Papua New Guinea for delivery to health facilities across the country as part of a joint initiative between the PNG LNG Project, operated by Esso Highlands Limited, the Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation (PNGTF), MediSend International, and Maersk Line.
Mt. Hagen Hospital was the first facility to receive a shipment. The remainder of the equipment will be distributed over the coming weeks to other medical facilities throughout the country including in Kikori, Goroka, Idauwi, Mananda, Para, Juni, Paua, Waro, Porebada, Papa, and Boera.
The equipment and supplies include bedside monitors, defibrillators, freezers, electric hospital beds, infant incubators, IV pumps, exam lights, microscopes, nebulisers, x-ray viewing boxes, and ultrasound machinery.
Peter Graham, Esso Highlands Limited Managing Director, said the partnership would deliver health equipment to the places it was needed most.
“Supporting communities to improve public health is a key priority for the PNG LNG Project,” Mr Graham said.
“Our partnership with the Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation will strengthen the capabilities of health facilities in Papua New Guinea.”
Experience in many developed and developing countries has shown that healthy populations are more likely to participate actively in the social and economic growth of their communities and country.
“The PNG LNG Project supports a range of programs that build health care capacity at the community level, promote research and development, and advocate for awareness and support,” Mr Graham continued.
“Our contribution is designed to enhance the important ongoing government, private sector, and NGO efforts, not replace them.”
“The PNG Tribal Foundation and its logistics partners – Riback Stevedores, Consort Shipping, Lae Rotary, and Mapai Transport – are honored to partner with the PNG LNG Project in this outstanding charitable cause to provide medical supplies and equipment that will boost the morale and increase the capacity of dedicated healthcare providers in a number of hospitals and health centres,” Paul Wagun, PNGTF board member and project manager said.
“Our focus at the Foundation is to bring appropriate assistance and development to the people of Papua New Guinea, and this project certainly is in line with those goals.”
The program was developed following a PNG LNG Project needs assessment of the health capacity of numerous medical facilities in Project areas and nearby communities. The assessment revealed a critical shortage of equipment in these facilities.
In response, the Project engaged MediSend International to supply medical equipment to the facilities and provide training for bio-medical technicians on the use and care of the equipment.
To date, 11 Papua New Guinean bio-medical technicians have received training in the United States in Dallas, Texas.
The PNG LNG Project is drawing on the logistics expertise of the Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation to assist in delivery of the equipment. Maersk supported the deliveries by providing discounted shipping from the United States to Papua New Guinea.
Nicolaj Noes, managing director for Maersk Line Australia and PNG said that Maersk Line is committed to being a responsible business partner and contributing to the development of the communities in which the company operates.
“As a global transportation company, our partnership with MediSend International and the PNG LNG Project enables us to support this donation of essential medical equipment, using our business expertise and network.
We are pleased to be part of this initiative,” Mr Noes said.
The Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation is a non-government organisation that works with government, private organisations, corporations, and individuals to address PNG’s health and education needs.