Last week Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) National Department of Health (NDoH) and YWAM Medical Ships – Australia & PNG (YWAM MS) solidified their partnership through the signing of a refreshed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), underscoring a shared commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility and capacity building across PNG’s hard-to-reach and underserved communities. The MOU signifies a strengthened alliance aimed at uplifting the national health sector and supporting the country’s vision for sustainable, quality healthcare for all.
Hon Elias Kapavore, PNG’s Minister for Health, expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration, stating, “YWAM Medical Ships – Australia & PNG has been a strategic partner of NDoH since 2010, working alongside our local health workers to provide over 2 million health and training services to some of our most challenging-to-reach communities. This partnership reflects our mutual commitment to reaching the furthest corners of PNG with essential health services.”
Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Osborne Liko said “the partnership with YWAM is a very important one and the YWAM Medical Ship goes one step toward supporting the aim for people to have access to a health facility within one hour by foot, car, boat or air.”
Mr Charles Abel, PNG Co-Patron of YWAM MS, emphasised the importance of this partnership in reaching PNG’s national health goals, particularly providing critical health and training services in remote areas.
“Along with my Co-Patron, Mrs Rachael Marape, we would like to highlight that NDoH’s partnership with YWAM MS is a prime example of our national health strategy’s approach to our context. By pooling resources and expertise, we can deliver services that save lives, improve wellbeing and equip local health workers to meet the needs of their communities. Together, we are creating a lasting impact across PNG.”
Ken Mulligan, Managing Director of YWAM MS, expressed gratitude for the continued collaboration, acknowledging the pivotal role of NDoH. “Our vision aligns closely with that of NDoH, through the National Health Plan 2021 – 2030, especially the desire for ‘health for all – leaving no one behind’. This includes isolated maritime communities and inland areas as well as urban health. Through this shared purpose, we’ve been able to make a tangible difference together and are believing for more to come in the future. We are honoured to work alongside dedicated public health champions across PNG.”
The MV YWAM PNG is currently serving with the Western Provincial Health Authority and other collaborators in Western Province and has engaged in 19 villages over the past two weeks. Over 800 patients have attended clinics, including a young first-time mother who gave birth aboard the ship to a healthy baby boy.
Photo caption: Signing of the renewed Memorandum of Understanding at NDoH, left to right:
– Mr Ken Mulligan, YWAM MS Managing Director
– Dr Sarah Dunn, YWAM MS
– Hon Elias Kapavore, MP, Minister for Health
– Dr Osborne Liko, Acting Secretary for Health
– Mr Ken Wai, Deputy Secretary for Health, Public Health Division
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