Donors give X-ray machine to Karkar

GAUBIN Hospital, on Karkar Island, Madang, received its new X-ray machine over the weekend.
Melanesian Foundation chairman Sir Peter Barter flew to Karkar to witness the arrival of the machine bought through the foundation of the Lutheran church-run hospital.
In addition to the X-ray machine, the Melanesian Foundation and its donors raised a further K7,284 to buy a Chroma Model 252 Colo­rimeter with filters and other consumables for the hospital.  
Sir Peter says the request for the X-ray machine had come from Dr Christopher Ihje, the surgeon who is the chief executive officer of the 180-bed rural hospital that serves the 60,000 people on Karkar and Bagabag Island, 40km to the north of Madang.
Funds for the hospital were raised from donors that included the Abela, Middleton and Barter families, plus a local anonymous donor, the congregation of the Lutheran Memorial church in Madang, Petromin Ltd and the PNG Sustainable Development Corporation.
A total of K300,000 was raised and it took three months to arrange delivery.
The X-ray machine is expected to be dedicated to the memory of Don Kudan, the former chairman of the Church Medical Council and secretary of the Lutheran Health Services, who died earlier this year.
Sir Peter said this event would take place in December. All donors would be invited to witness the event after Ihje and his wife returned from leave.
Ihje thanked Sir Peter, saying the machine was crucial to the successful fight against tuberculosis and to diagnose fractures.
He said the machine was identical to the X-ray machine used at Modilon Hospital, which would make training and support easy.
“We are more than thankful to the Melanesian Foundation and the donors as it was not possible to secure funding through the National Department of Health or provincial government despite promises made.”