Airline continues partnership with programme

AIR Niugini has continued its support for the annual Operation Open Heart (OOH) by airlifting medical equipment and supplies free of charge from Australia to Papua New Guinea each year.
This year was no different, three pallets of medical items and supplies weighing a total 286kg were uplifted on flight PX 004 out of Brisbane to Port Moresby two weeks ago.
The items were cleared and delivered to the Port Moresby General Hospital by TNT on Tuesday for the operation to start tomorrow.
Air Niugini managing director Alan Milne said the airline had been supportive of the programme since it started in 1993 by uplifting lifesaving medical equipment to help Papua New Guineans especially children in need of complex heart surgeries.
“Air Niugini is pleased to be part of a vital programme that continues to save and improve lives of hundreds of children with heart problems, most of who would not have been able to live a normal life if it wasn’t for this programme,” he said.
“Apart from giving children a second chance in life, this programme also ensures knowledge and skill transfer between the visiting and the local medical teams.
“Air Niugini is happy to continue to support this important, lifesaving programme.”
A team of volunteers including doctors, nurses and other medical specialists from Operation Open Heart International in Australia visit PNG every year for the operation.