YWAM Medical Ships Australia & Papua New Guinea (YWAM MS) is delighted to announce that the training and medical ship, MV YWAM PNG, has returned home to Papua New Guinea.
When COVID-19 changed the world and disrupted domestic and international travel in March 2020, YWAM MS made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend their medical and training outreaches in PNG and reposition the ship to Townsville, Australia so important scheduled maintenance could occur. The team also maximised the time by working on program development, helping to ensure they were well positioned to resume patrols to remote communities at the appropriate time.
YWAM MS’ Managing Director, Ken Mulligan, said that a formal invitation to return to PNG was received from authorities in Papua New Guinea for the purpose of strengthening the delivery of essential healthcare in rural communities.
“While the COVID situation is continually evolving, we plan to have the vessel in a state of readiness to respond flexibly in 2021. The ship will initially dock in Port Moresby, with plans to resume rural healthcare patrols focusing support on Western Province in the near term,” said Mr Mulligan.
YWAM MS is also in the process of establishing a youth vocational training hub and field-support facility in Port Moresby.
“As a registered training organisation in Australia, it has been a dream for a long time to establish a satellite vocational training campus to serve the whole nation with a focus on the young people in PNG. The goal will be to provide holistic training opportunities; combining vocational training with character development and service opportunities to help equip young people for jobs.
“While it is still early days, we hope to make significant progress toward the campus’ development this year,” said Mr Mulligan.
YWAM MS Patron for Papua New Guinea, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, said that the training campus will work hand in hand with the medical ship, MV YWAM PNG.
“One of YWAM MS’ distinctives is the close link between classroom training and on-the-field practical application, giving students the opportunity to serve communities while gaining hands-on experience in their chosen vocation. Field assignments will be linked to YWAM MS’ strategic activities in communities with the ship and land-based teams.
“The goal of this hands-on approach is to help instil a sense of responsibility and passion within our young people to contribute toward building healthy villages for a healthy Papua New Guinea.
“I am encouraged about this new development, and look forward to working in collaboration with many others to see this become a reality,” said Sir Rabbie Namaliu.
In collaboration with provincial and district health authorities, YWAM MS has delivered over 1.8 million healthcare and training services to remote communities in the Southern region and Morobe Province since 2010.
YWAM MS is proudly supported by the PNG National Government, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Puma Energy, Henry Schein Halas, Network Communications, Port of Townsville, PNG Ports, Morobe, Gulf, Western, Central, Oro and Milne Bay Provincial Governments, World Vision, Townsville City Council, 1300SMILES, Honeycombes Property Development Group, Parkside Group, Pacific Islands International, PVW Partners, Dawson & Associates, Lions Recycle for Sight, Manolos Aviation, AkzoNobel, Gearbox Solutions, PNG Ports Corporation, Sohe District Development Authority, Kiriwina-Goodenough District Development Authority, Haymans, Ela Motors, Trukai, Ports North, Luminell, Northern Management Group, Lancini Property & Development, Mitsubishi Electric, Coutts Redington, Medical Dental Solutions, Stanley Hotel and Suites, Pro-Ma Systems, Pacific Marine Group, Universal Cranes, Rotarians Against Malaria, Alcon, Mun Global, Sentry Medical, Hu-Friedy, Kingdom Air Conditioning, Alphapharm, Septodont, Essilor Vision Foundation, Mocom, Days for Girls, GE Healthcare, 3M, Pacific Towing, Austal, BuzzOff, Wilson Ryan Grose Lawyers, PwC and Mylan.
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