The Training and Medical Ship, MV YWAM PNG, received K100,000 yesterday in Port Moresby.
Central Province Governor, Kila Haoda, came good on his 2016 operational funding pledge to support the work of the medical ship.
This follows the presentation of K50,000 earlier in the year to meet the 2015 operational funding pledge.
Governor Haoda, accompanied by Central Provincial Administrator, Gei Guni Raga, said the provincial administration is proud of its partnership with YWAM Medical Ships in the Central Province.
“Our partnership with YWAM Medical Ships is an initiative that brings great joy to my heart,” said Governor Haoda.
“Our people in the rural areas are really touched by this work and we can see the genuine care that the YWAM volunteers bring. There are smiles on faces on both sides as we work together.”
The newly refitted MV YWAM PNG made its second voyage to Central Province in the space of 12 months earlier this year, visiting villages along the coastline, with a particular focus on the isolated Amazon Bay area in Abau District.
More than 3,500 people were helped during that voyage alone, engaging more than 19 villages with basic primary health care and selected specialised services.
“Once again, our local health workers were aboard for this patrol; getting support to reach their catchments and benefit from training plus support with supply delivery,” said Governor Haoda.
“Teamwork is one of the strongest elements of this program. We see this as one part of Central Provincial Government's commitment to our rural dwellers too.”
YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director, Ken Mulligan, said he was grateful for the Central Provincial Government’s support.
“Our work in the Central Province has really only just begun – I’m very much looking forward to many years of partnership ahead. It is timely to receive these funds now as we make preparations for outreaches in early 2017,” said Mulligan.
“We have done a lot of upgrades on MV YWAM PNG over the past 18 months, plus also managed to keep her in the water, regularly serving thousands in really remote parts of PNG.
“It’s been an excellent team effort but has put the strain on budget-wise. Seeing pledged funds come in from our provincial and district partners makes all the difference.
“I echo Governor Haoda’s sense of teamwork – there is so much to achieve together. These are exciting times.”
Other major contributors to YWAM Medical Ships’ 2016 operational funding include Puma Energy, Steamships Trading Company, PNG Ports Corp, Manolos Aviation, Oro, Morobe and Milne Bay Provincial Governments, Sohe and Kiriwina-Goodenough District Development Authorities, Pro-Ma Systems and the Australian Aid program.
Major capital contributors to the vessel purchase include the PNG National Government and Morobe, Milne Bay, Central and Western Provinces.
(Governor Kila Hoada with YWAM Medical Ships program strategy and partner relations manager, Dr. Sarah Dunn)