By MATTHEW VARI
Sunday, August 24, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)
AFTER administering 180,000 health services, training 581 local health workers in 594 villages, touching ten of thousand in the provinces of Gulf and Western- the MV Pacific Link will now take it final missions through other provinces in the southern region as the countdown to her retirement nears.
Known famously as the face of the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) outreach program throughout the Southern Region- the 38 year old former fishing boat is hoped to be replaced by a new twin hulled catamaran ship.
With an outstanding target of K11.4 million to secure the new vessel and a deadline on December 4 edging closer, the YWAM are currently touring the east coast of Australia to provide awareness on their humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea, calling for support to secure the new vessel.
Hosting a tour on the ship for the media last week- Community Development General Manager Dr Sarah Dunn pointed out that the new ship would enable the missions to increase it operations by 500 percent, and 1.3 million people in the country’s Southern Region.
“The new ship is more modern, with is main benefits such as its bigger size, and not only is it bigger but we will also be able to fit it out with a operating theatre, training rooms to enable rural health workers get in-service training because most times they go on without new training,” Dr Dunn said.
“New ship will help us reach further up rivers and more provinces, increase volunteers and increase mission work by almost 500 percent, which means 1.3 million people, almost a quarter of the nation will have access to immunization and health training.”
“We have served many thousands over the two years we have worked in both provinces with a total of a 180,000 services provided- ranging from immunization, mother health from antenatal care, mosquito net distribution, eye glasses, dental care, cataract surgery, eye surgery, and also helping with getting alongside and training local health workers.”
Hosting a tour on the ship for the media last week- Community Development General Manager Dr Sarah Dunn pointed out that the new ship would enable the missions to increase it operations by 500 percent, and 1.3 million people in the country’s Southern Region.
“The new ship is more modern, with is main benefits such as its bigger size, and not only is it bigger but we will also be able to fit it out with a operating theatre, training rooms to enable rural health workers get in-service training because most times they go on without new training,” Dr Dunn said.
“New ship will help us reach further up rivers and more provinces, increase volunteers and increase mission work by almost 500 percent, which means 1.3 million people, almost a quarter of the nation will have access to immunization and health training.”
“We have served many thousands over the two years we have worked in both provinces with a total of a 180,000 services provided- ranging from immunization, mother health from antenatal care, mosquito net distribution, eye glasses, dental care, cataract surgery, eye surgery, and also helping with getting alongside and training local health workers.”
“The ship has been used by YWAM since 2010. It is 35 years old and getting a bit old but is still doing a reasonable job.”
Dr Dunn made special mention of the support received from the national government through the Department of National Planning with K4 million, which had gone into the initial deposit to secure the new ship.
She said that they were optimistic of raising funds to reach their target, adding that talks are currently underway with state and corporate entities both in Australia and in PNG.
“We really have a tight deadline of the 4th of December unfortunately, and the company has give us six months, from July to December, to purchase the ship, and we are giving it a good shot to overcome the impossible,” she said.
“We are a Christian interdenominational organization and we are very much encouraged by the sense that Jesus told us to come to bring life not death John 10:10- that is our slogan that ‘I want to live’ that through Christ all things are possible.”
With over 50 volunteers from 12 different countries- the organization takes pride in its mission to bring healthcare to rural Papua New Guineans who need it the most.
She added that once purchased, the vessel would be serve the people of PNG in partnership with the national government’s aim to bring medical care to all Papua New Guineans.
Dr Dunn made special mention of the support received from the national government through the Department of National Planning with K4 million, which had gone into the initial deposit to secure the new ship.
She said that they were optimistic of raising funds to reach their target, adding that talks are currently underway with state and corporate entities both in Australia and in PNG.
“We really have a tight deadline of the 4th of December unfortunately, and the company has give us six months, from July to December, to purchase the ship, and we are giving it a good shot to overcome the impossible,” she said.
“We are a Christian interdenominational organization and we are very much encouraged by the sense that Jesus told us to come to bring life not death John 10:10- that is our slogan that ‘I want to live’ that through Christ all things are possible.”
With over 50 volunteers from 12 different countries- the organization takes pride in its mission to bring healthcare to rural Papua New Guineans who need it the most.
She added that once purchased, the vessel would be serve the people of PNG in partnership with the national government’s aim to bring medical care to all Papua New Guineans.
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