MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
K6.19 million raised for YWAM medical ship
PNG gets behind push to improve health care
Port Moresby, 21 November 2014 – A dinner in Port Moresby has raised K6.19 million in cash and pledges towards a new medical vessel to service remote regions of Papua New Guinea. Of this, an impressive K1.18 million was cash raised on the night.
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Medical Ships plans to buy the vessel, MV Ammari, to replace the ageing MV Pacific Link which takes volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses and others to remote villages.
The dinner, sponsored by InterOil Corporation at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby, was hosted by YWAM Medical Ships patron for Papua New Guinea, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, and gathered senior government officials, major partners and business corporations in PNG.
YWAM Medical Ships has been providing basic health services such as immunisations, dentistry, antenatal clinics and health education to villagers and health workers in very remote parts of PNG.
Due to challenging terrain and diverse river systems, these communities struggle to gain access to basic health care and training.
The MV Ammari will be able to access more villages for longer periods than the old vessel and will increase YWAM’s service capacity by more than 500%.
Sir Rabbie Namaliu said he was immensely proud of YWAM’s work.
“YWAM’s Training and Medical Ship model helps to build capacity in the rural health sector for the future while also filling a critical gap in our nation’s medical services at present,” he said.
“It is for reasons such as this that I agreed to become patron of YWAM MSA for PNG.”
“I am exceptionally happy with the result achieved last night. We are now so close to acheiving our fundraising target to make the Ammari a reality and I’m sure more will step forward to support this worthy cause.”
InterOil Chief Executive Dr Michael Hession said InterOil supported the charity because of its work in the remote Gulf Province where the company’s business was centred and health services were poor.
“It is important to us that we give back to the country and the local community,” Dr Hession said.
“There is so much more that can be done and we want to see YWAM’s work continue.”
InterOil also supports the Training and Medical Ship by contributing fuel toward covering its transport costs.
YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director Ken Mulligan thanked government and business corporations that supported fund-raising efforts for the vessel. He made specific mention of Minister Charles Abel and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring who previously contributed K4million toward the deposit on the new vessel.
At the event, the Minister also pledged a further K1.5 million toward the Ship’s outstanding purchase price, to come in 2015. Governors from Morobe, Western and Milne Bay also made significant pledges and a K500,000 cheque was presented by Milne Bay Governor, Hon. Titus Philemon.
“We are deeply grateful for all the support we have received from different sectors in our work in PNG to date,” he said. “There is so much more that we can achieve together with this new vessel, MV Ammari. And with 9 business days to go till contract close, I believe we can all pull together to see the remaining funds come in to Overcome the Impossible!”
Total cost of the new vessel is K14.4 million. A mere K316,000 (AUD 143,000) is now required in cash by 4 December to settle the contract, with remaining funds to be paid in by 2015.
To support YWAM Medical Ships, follow their campaign on www.facebook.com/ywamshipsaustralia or donate at www.ywamtownsville-org.staging.precedence.com.au/payments/.
About YWAM Medical Ships
YWAM Medical Ships is implementing programs with its medical ship and land-based teams in rural PNG communities in association with key stakeholders and partners. All of YWAM staff, including senior project managers, are full-time volunteers. Since 2010, YWAM has achieved more than 249,000 health, training and community development outputs in PNG with their current ship the MV Pacific Link.
About InterOil
InterOil Corporation is an independent oil and gas business with a primary focus on Papua New Guinea. InterOil’s assets include one of Asia’s largest undeveloped gas fields, Elk-Antelope, in the Gulf Province, and exploration licences covering about 16,000sqkm. The company employs more than 2000 staff and contractors. Its main offices are in Singapore and Port Moresby. InterOil is listed on the New York and Port Moresby stock exchanges.
YWAM media contact: PNG – Dr. Sarah Dunn, 7283 7669 sarahd@ywamtownsville-org.staging.precedence.com.au
Australia – Mrs. Anna Scott, 0439 367 198, annas@ywamtownsville-org.staging.precedence.com.au
InterOil media contact: Ms. Damaris Minikula, 7030 6077, damaris.minikula@interoil.com
Pictured Above –
Ken Mulligan, Managing Director for YWAM Medical Ships
Michael Hession, CEO of InterOil Corporation
The Right Honourable Sir Rabbie Namaliu, PNG Patron for YWAM Medical Ships and Director for InterOil Corporation
Chris Finlayson, Chairman for InterOil Corporation
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