National Government Comes Good With Pledge Toward Medical Ship

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Honorable Charles Abel, has today presented a cheque for K1.5million PGK on behalf of the National Government, fulfilling a pledge toward the new Training and Medical Ship for Papua New Guinea’s Southern Region and Huon-Gulf, MV YWAM PNG.
 
YWAM Medical Ships Patron, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, made comment, expressing his gratefulness on behalf of the organisation, but more importantly, the people of the remote maritime areas the ship will serve.
 
“I am very proud of the work that has been achieved by YWAM Medical Ships in PNG since 2010.  That’s all been based off use of an older vessel of much more limited capacity.  Once refit, the replacement ship, MV YWAM PNG, will allow a 500% increase in field activities.  Seeing the National Government invest in rural service delivery in this way is very pleasing indeed.  Some of the areas we serve haven’t seen basic primary health care in a long time and this will certainly save lives,” said Sir Rabbie.
 
Today’s cheque presentation supplements an initial K4 million PGK given toward the project in 2013.
 
Other major donors toward the vessel’s capital cost have included Central, Milne Bay, Morobe and Western Provinces.  The public of Australia, PNG and other nations have also made donations to see the ship become a reality.  Today’s funds will go toward paying off a bridging loan that allowed purchase of the vessel in December 2014.
 
“With all YWAM personnel donating their professional services, it is a very cost-effective program indeed,” said Sir Rabbie.
 
MV YWAM PNG will make her maiden voyage into PNG waters in late April, after progress on Stage 1 of a three-stage refit program.  A National Commissioning ceremony is scheduled for 21 April in Port Moresby, followed by 2 months of voyages across partner provinces, working through detailed maritime logistics, accompanied by Stage 1 service delivery.