Group hosts successful donation drive for sick babies

By MELYNE BAROI
PORT Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) case worker and pediatrics social worker Francesca Vangun says the hospital has seen more than 40 sick babies come in this year without enough support from family members.
“From January to June this year, we have seen 42 patients who have been in need of basic necessities like clothes, diapers and wipes or bus fare for patients and their guardians,” she said during a donation to PMGH earlier this month.
Vangun said the donated items would be given to those in most need with the help of the Friends of Port Moresby General Hospital (FOPG) who would deliver them to the babies in need.
“The response we have received so far has been overwhelming and we are thankful to everyone who has stepped in to help in one way or the other,” she said.
A post on Facebook and a message sent out on WhatsApp by FOPG seeking baby products, food, clothing and other essentials for sick babies admitted at the hospital saw many pledges and donations.
FOPG operations coordinator Grace Roland told The National that the action was as a result of reports by case workers in the hospital which showed that families of the babies who had been admitted for long periods struggled to sustain themselves.
“We posted an appeal on Facebook and it went viral and the next thing we knew, we had an office full of donations of baby formula, napkins, food, you name it,” a pleased Roland said.
“We have had donations from corporate houses, law firms, a security firm and individuals.”