Kabanut gets new ambulance

**Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt handing over the ambulance key to Kabanut Sub-Health Centre sister-in-charge Eddy Korongon in the presence of other medical staff members. – Picture supplied**

THE Kabanut Sub-Health Centre in West Coast Namatanai, New Ireland, has taken delivery of a new ambulance.
The vehicle was presented to the United Church-run facility by Namatanai MP and Transport and Civil Aviation Minister, Walter Schnaubelt.
The ambulance was acquired through a partnership arrangement between the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and the Namatanai District Development Authority (NDDA).
NGCB, through its Community Benefit Fund programme, allocated K220,000 while the district office gave K34,000 from its Lihir gold mine royalty benefits.
The ambulance cost K254,000.
“I thank NGCB for the support given to the people of Namatanai, and I look forward to similar partnerships in other areas going forward,” Schnaubelt said.
He said so far, 12 ambulances had been delivered to sub-health centres in the district, costing K1.4 million.
Funds totalling K100,000 had also been released to renovate staff houses at the Kabanut Sub-Health Centre.
Schnaubelt also committed to allocate K50,000 to Kabanut for its infrastructure upgrade every year.
Sister-in-charge Eddy Korongon thanked Schnaubelt for supporting the centre.
Also during the occasion, Schnaubelt delivered more than 100 solar lights to students of the Kabanut Primary School.
He also said maintenance work on the roads and bridges from Palabong to Rabehen would begin soon.