Humanitarian vaccination project starts in New Ireland

THE humanitarian vaccination programme, AidOcean of the Ocean Vacci Tour (OVT), is set to carry out its first mission in New Ireland.
Returning to Noumea, New Caledonia from her preliminary trip to Papua New Guinea, the founder of OVT, Marine Bayer, was pleased to report very encouraging and positive feedback ahead of the first humanitarian mission to be held in September or October.
During the 15 days of her visit, Bayer facilitated a multitude of meetings with particularly the health authorities; New Ireland health authority, United Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the Australian Doctors International (ADI)
She also initiated meetings with the representative of New Caledonia in PNG, Alexandre Lafargue and Ambassador of France in PNG Guillaume Lemoine.
After many meetings and intensive learning about New Ireland, the mission scheduled for September and October had been adjusted slightly.
The mission in PNG would begin in the islands of Lehir, Tanga and Babase, with the use of dinghies, which would allow the team to sail upriver.
The vaccines on the programme included measles, rubella, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, whooping cough and hemophilus.
”The Vaka Motu (seafaring canoe) originally planned for this mission is not suitable because its motorisation system is very weak,” Bayer said.
“We have had to adapt the means of transportation for this mission in order to enable us to navigate upriver as necessary.”