Barrick throws support behind symposium

National

BARRICK Niugini Ltd has come on board to support the Papua New Guinea Medical Society host its 55th annual Medical Symposium from Sept 1-6 in Port Moresby.
On Wednesday, the company donated K100,000 to the society for the symposium which would cost up to K1 million to host.
Barrick director Woo Lee said there was nothing more important than having a well maintained and progressive health system in the county.
“The care and expertise of doctors, nurses and medical technicians who staff the nation’s hospitals and clinics are essential to the well-being of Papua New Guineans,” he said.
“It is vital that Papua New Guineans have a world class health framework to develop the knowledge and skills that its health professionals need.”
Lee noted that the Porgera mine had a long standing record of supporting healthcare near the mine in Enga through funding and infrastructural development.
“In 2019 alone, our company has provided more than K2 million to the Enga health authority for the refurbishment and re-opening of the Paiam Hospital in Porgera valley,” he said.
Lee said they were pleased to extend their support to the broader PNG health sector through their gold sponsorship of the 2019 annual medical symposium.
National Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru, who is also the symposium’s patron, welcomed Barrick’s support.
Organisers have invited up to 1,000 speakers and participants from PNG and around the world, including world renowned experts like the president of the World Federation of Medical Education.