Foundation funds first mobile clinic

 DIGICEL PNG Foundation has funded its first mobile health clinic through partnerships with two health centres in Northern at a value of K160,000.

An agreement between the foundation and St Margaret and Gona health centres in the Ijivitari and Sohe districts was signed on Tuesday. Both health centres are operated by the Anglican health services. 

St Margaret signed a deed with the Popondetta hospital where the both health centres would be fully managed by the provincial hospital. 

The health centres currently provide services and outreach patrols to well over 19, 000 people and more than 10 remote sites including schools in the two districts. 

The fully kitted mobile clinic would ease the challenge of carrying medical supplies for long hours while on foot patrols. 

This partnership represents a public private partnership approach between the Popondetta hospital and the Anglican church health services. 

Digicel Foundation recognised this partnership through the funding of the fully kitted ambulance to provide increased access to basic health services to rural and marginalised communities in the province.

Popondetta hospital chief executive officer Dr Gunzee Gawin said: “We thank Digicel PNG Foundation for supporting this project which is the first kind in the province and one that presents a public private partnership approach.

“We are grateful for the work that Digicel Foundation has done since they have been established here in PNG particular their work in marginalised communities throughout PNG.”

“Digicel Foundation recognises the importance of working in partnership with government to ensure the sustainability of community projects in PNG,” chief executive officer Beatrice Mahuru said.

“We are delighted to partner with St Margaret and Gona health centers to provide much needed health services to the people of Ijivitari and Sohe districts and other districts as well.”

To date the foundation has funded 210 community based projects covering 22 provinces and has put back K18.75million back into the marginalized communities which has directly impacted more than 150, 000 people.