Appreciating search and rescue efforts

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
IN a small but significant gathering last Thursday at the Modilon General Hospital grounds in Madang, certificates of appreciation were given to business houses and individuals who helped in the search and rescue efforts of the Oct 13 Airlines PNG Dash 8 crash.
Hospital chief executive officer Sister Christine Gawi described the occasion as one that tested the loyalty and commitment of hospital staff while it was sorting out ‘administrative issues’.
Gawi said it had been a trying time for her staff, especially Dr Billy Selve.
“Without Dr Selve, who was the captain in command during my absence during those trying weeks, Madang and Modilon General Hospital wouldn’t have got this far in terms of working as a team,” she said.
Hospital chairman and Divine Word University president, Fr Jan Czuba expressed deep gratitude to those who persevered, saying that all the efforts during those weeks showed and celebrated humanity and human dignity.
“Let us not see this event as a closure but an acknowledgement for those who cared enough to give love. It can never be a closure until the Airline PNG explains to the relatives of the victims what happened. They should tell us the truth,”  he said.
He said that day was one of the most challenging times he had ever had and praised all that not one day had passed when they wanted either compensation or overtime payments.
He gave special mention to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, AusAID forensic experts and Ok Tedi Rotary Club for the monetary assistance given during that time.
Twenty-eight people died in the crash on Oct 13, marking it as one of the worst air crash disasters in the country’s history.
A monument has been erected at the Madang public cemetery with names of all those who died.