For more than 15 years, the Pogerapul Health Centre in Imbonggu District, Southern Highlands Province, has been in need of an ambulance.
Recently the health centre received a brand new fully-kitted Mobile Health Clinic (MHC) ambulance to assist with its rural health outreach programs to the 22,000-plus population it serves.
This was possible thanks to a Public Private Partner arrangement between Digicel PNG Foundation and the Imbonggu District Development Authority (DDA), each sharing 50 percent of the total cost.
The presentation of the ambulance was conducted at the Mt Hagen Digicel Regional Office in Western Highlands, where the keys were officially handed over to Pila Niningi, MP for Imbonggu District.
The Member was delighted to receive the keys to the MHC on behalf of his people and acknowledged the Foundation for the partnership.
“Firstly I must commend the Digicel PNG Foundation and my DDA for attending to our people’s real needs. This partnership will be saving the lives of our mothers and sisters who need to receive immediate medical assistance and this ambulance has come at a crucial time for Pogerapul Health Centre,” Niningi said.
The MHC comes at a total cost of K168,000 and is a fully kitted ambulance consisting of oxygen inhaler and resuscitator with 2L cylinder, medicine box, infusion bottle, 10L water tank with sink, stretcher, siren with inbuilt microphone and speaker system, and other medical equipment to enhance the health centre’s outreach programs.
To date, Digicel PNG Foundation has funded 31 MHCs in the four regions of PNG, directly impacting 734,398 people who can access at the doorsteps immunisation, pre and antenatal maternal care, testing and treatment for TB, malaria and other health care services, at no cost.
Established in October 2008, Digicel PNG Foundation has directly invested K77 million in PNG’s rural, remote and socially marginalised communities across all 22 provinces directly impacting over 770,000 people.
[Ronan Wilcox, general manager - Digicel Mt Hagen (3rd from right), presents the keys for the MHC on behalf of Digicel PNG Foundation, to Pila Niningi, MP for Imbonggu (3rd from left)]