Oil Search Foundation (OSF)

U.S. Gov’t, Santos power up community

In partnership with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, Santos through the Santos funded Oil Search Foundation (OSF) and USAID launched the Pimaga Rural Hospital Solar Electrification Project on March 28 at Pimaga, in Nipa Kutubu District, SHP. 

The mini grid installed through the project will now serve not only hundreds of patients seen at the clinic but will also provide power to the dozen or more clinic staff and their families who live on the health clinic compound.

OSF, Cricket PNG To Deliver Program

An agreement between OSF and Cricket PNG was signed on Monday, June 27 paving way for the program to be implemented in selected schools in NCD, Central and Gulf provinces.

This new agreement further supports Cricket PNG to use a previous investment by OSF in purchasing the equipment in 2020.

The pandemic prevented the implementation of the program in 2021 and both partners are very pleased to see this initiative come to fruition.

Santos Partners To Deliver Health Plan

The agreement was signed at a recent meeting by Santos funded OSF Executive Director, Stephanie Copus-Campbell, Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (PHA) Board Chair and Health Department Secretary, Dr Osbourne.   

The theme of the NHP is ‘Leaving no-one behind. Together we can do it.’ Building effective multi-sectoral partnerships, including with the private sector, is also a key cross cutting theme in the NHP to improve health indicators across the country. 

Chasing Dreams in Hela

Like many children his age, Chalton aims to achieve his dreams and hopes of the future. OSF in partnership with Buk Bilong Piknini (BbP), the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church and the Hela Division of Education are determined to help him and others pursue their dreams by supporting early childhood learning.

Women’s program enables great progress in career

For Sister Anne Aku, a nurse in Hela Province, it not only was care for patients she provided. Her compassion extended to her fellow nursing colleagues.

Sr Aku has served the people of Hela as a nursing officer for 28 years. Completing Grade 10 from the then Tari High School and later obtaining a certificate in General Nursing from Goroka School of Nursing in 1992, she worked tirelessly to serve Wabia Health Centre, a facility run by the United Church Health Services.

Science equipment for Tari secondary

Oil Search and the Oil Search Foundation (OSF) continue to support such learning opportunities and careers in STEM through a recent donation of scientific equipment to Tari Secondary School. The donation, which will benefit grade 9 to 12 students, included microscopes, test tubes, human body models, laboratory coats and many more resources.

Christine Kasou, Oil Search Vice President – People and Culture, said the provision of STEM materials to selected secondary schools is an initiative of Oil Search aimed at supporting practical classes in STEM.

OSF’s response to COVID-19

Oil Search Foundation (OSF), like many other development partners, has undertaken extra measures to help with the COVID-19 response. 

Through its close partnerships with the Provincial Heath Authorities (PHA) in Hela, Southern Highlands and Gulf, the Foundation is supporting COVID-19 planning, the procurement of supplies and is providing extra clinical support.

Building tomorrow’s leaders today

Twenty-five recipients spread across six tertiary institutions across PNG will use new leadership skills to pursue careers in business, education and health.

These students recently graduated from a course in leadership training run by the local youth development organisation, The Voice Inc. Building leadership skills is a defining component of OSF Scholarship Program and the Australian government’s PNG Partnership Fund (PPF) that is supporting scholarships in Hela Province through OSF.

GeneXpert machine donated to health authority

The new GeneXpert machine will enable immediate testing and diagnosis of patients with suspected TB.

PNG has a high incidence of TB and the threat of drug resistant strains challenges an already stretched health system.  With OSF’s donation of the GeneXpert, the HPHA staff are now able to detect TB cases in just two hours and start treatment immediately.

Dr Anthony Wal, Director of Clinical Services, said previously the HPHA had to wait for Port Moresby to send back test results which could take many weeks, especially with the difficultly in transport to Hela. 

Koroba District Hospital to be rehabilitated

Work will be done over the next twelve months.

The agreement is another step in the direction to improving health indicators in Hela Province through the new co-funded public private partnership launched recently between the Government of PNG, Australian Government and OSF called ‘Wok Bung Wantaim’.

KDDA made a commitment of K200,000 towards refurbishment, specifically to address earthquake related damage.

OSF will work closely with the Hela Provincial Health Authority (HPHA) to manage the project on behalf of KDDA and in partnership with Australia and others.