MV YWAM PNG

Puma Energy staff tour medical ship

The visit came just hours before MV YWAM PNG (and her volunteer team from 15 nations) was scheduled to set sail on the first outreach voyage of its Stage 3 deployment to Gulf Province.

Puma Energy has been a major supporter of YWAM Medical Ships since 2015 through the provision of MV YWAM PNG’s total fuel and lubricant requirements. This was for their healthcare and training activities in the Southern region and Huon Gulf.

Puma Energy supplies fuel for medical ship

However, the ship needs fuel to head out into the open seas and Puma Energy has jumped right in with much needed help of fuel and lubricants for the medical ship.

YWAM Program Strategy and Partner Relations, Dr Sarah Dunn says the YWAM team is very excited and mounting up to head out to Kikori district in Gulf for the next two weeks.

“The main thing that we need to propel us to get out to those remote communities is fuel and it’s a real privilege to have our friends and our partners- Puma Energy for providing us the much needed fuel for our trips,” says Dr Dunn.

Medical ship ready for new deployment in PNG

An addition to this year’s program is another patrol tender donated by AusAID which will be used to transport health care teams and supplies to extremely remote areas  through  the MV YWAM PNG.

This will be in collaboration with local health authorities.

YWAM medmical ships Managing Director, Ken Mulligan says the new patrol tender will increase capacity to help mobilize training and health care patrols over large distances and strengthen the rural health sector.

MV YWAM PNG returns better equipped

Improvements include the addition of a second extended-range patrol tender, which will be used to transport mobile healthcare teams and supplies to extremely remote communities from the MV YWAM PNG, in collaboration with local health authorities.

The patrol tender was purchased, fitted out and installed with the support of funds granted from Australian Aid, who have committed $A2 million to YWAM Medical Ships' work over a four-year period.

MV YWAM PNG is coming home

The voyage comes after the successful completion of the first part of Stage III of the MV YWAM PNG’s refit; the construction of an improved patient waiting area, medical re-stock room, a training space for local health workers and an extended-range patrol tender.

YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director, Ken Mulligan, said it was wonderful to have the MV YWAM PNG on her way home.

Minister Abel joins YWAM’s voyage in Milne Bay

Onboard to inspect the field-work during the first few days of the voyage was the Member for Alotau Open and Minister for National Planning, Charles Abel.

“The PNG National Government injected K5.5 million into the capital purchase of the MV YWAM PNG in 2014.

YWAM set to sail tomorrow

YWAM Medical Ship has been delivering basic healthcare services in the Japanese vessel called the pacific link but due to its holding capacity has been operating only in the Gulf and Western Provinces.

The new MV YWAM PNG is equipped with an onboard dentistry clinic, a day procedure unit that will be used for eye surgeries and also a primary healthcare.

They set sail for the Gulf province today with 100 people on board made up of medical professionals as well as the crew to help operate the ship including volunteers from 16 different nationalities and some PNG volunteers.