Honourable James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, visited the MV YWAM PNG last night, alongside Hon. Miki Kaeok MP, Minister for Transport, Hon. Dr Billy Joseph, MP, Minister for Defence, and Hon. Kinoka Feo MP, Minister for Higher Education.
The visit comes just days before the vessel sails to Western Province, marking the first outreach for 2026. On board, volunteers were in the final stages of preparation, readying the ship for deployment and welcoming national leaders into the heart of the mission.
The Prime Minister met with volunteers from Papua New Guinea and around the world, including a team from YWAM Norway. Conversations during the visit focused not only on the upcoming outreach, but also on the future – particularly the potential for additional ships serving the people of PNG. Prime Minister Marape expressed strong enthusiasm for this vision, reaffirming his long-standing support for ship-based services that bring healthcare, training, and development directly to coastal and riverine communities.
Today, nearly 100 volunteers from 14 nations will be on board the MV YWAM PNG for its sail to the coast of Western Province. Working in partnership with local health workers, the team will deliver essential healthcare services alongside health promotion and education, strengthening local capacity and supporting long-term community wellbeing.
The Prime Minister’s visit is a powerful affirmation of the partnership between the Government of Papua New Guinea and YWAM Medical Ships – Australia & PNG, united by a shared commitment to improving access to healthcare and investing in the future of PNG’s people, especially in some of the nation’s most hard-to-reach regions.
