Namatanai district launches medivac service

By REBECCA MARIGU
A high level of anticipation tinged the air in Namatanai, New Ireland, on a cloudless Monday morning as the sea of red slowly converged on the oval to await the arrival of the “red eagle.”
Suddenly, the sky was dashed in red as the iconic chopper P2-NTI destined for the medivac emergency, search and rescue operations landed in front of the jubilant crowd.
Then, there was an extreme hush as the only VIP that exited from the chopper was the Minister for Police, Jelta Wong.
As the mid-cabin door slowly opened, the crowd burst out in euphoria to see their Member of Parliament, Walter Schnaubelt, straddled up on a stretcher. It was an act that symbolised the role of the chopper – to serve the population of Namatanai district in any emergency situation.
Namatanai district has a population of more than 80,000 and has six rural LLGs which are Sentral, Nimamar, Tanir, Namatanai, Matalai and Konoagil.
This first major historical event also marked the beginning of a new era after nine months since Scnhaubelt took office.

The launch of the services was achieved amidst major financial constraints and political setbacks.
“I made a commitment to put people first and I will not rest until at least 80 per cent of my commitments are fulfilled by the end of this term. Today’s launch is an ideal example of more impact projects to come,” the first-time MP said.
Schnaubelt said with whatever little resources available, he would invest to save the lives of his people.
“This project is one of the first DDA (district development authority) board resolutions passed, and I am humbled to see it come to fruition,” Schnaubelt said.
“The exercise will cost the district authority K40,000 per month and is a valuable investment ventured into without hesitation due to the impact it will have on people’s lives, especially mothers.
“No amount of money can be compared to the value of life itself. When a mother dies from loss of blood due to complications during labour, the value of life lost is far greater than K40 000.
“As your leader, I say, there is no price on human life,” Schnaubelt ran the message home.
He thanked his people for having faith in him and mandating him as their leader and stressed that the launching of the medivac service portrayed his burning desire to change the district.
The Namatanai MP stated that he would make sure that limited resources available were managed well for the people by prioritising well on impact projects that were viable and effective and the medivac service was no exception.
Schnaubelt appealed to his people to put all political differences aside and work together in putting ‘people first.’
“Political games will only bring more harm than good, the more they are being played, the more we are selfishly putting the welfare of our mothers and children at risk. I am here to provide services for all and despite which political side you’re on, you will still benefit from services in health, education and other socio-economic sectors.”
He revealed there were other projects to be delivered in future, like the Messi Health Centre ambulance which would be launched in couple of months.
The Lihir maternal clinic ambulance will also be launched in a couple of months and the Mama Market four-tonne Isuzu truck for West Coast Central, from Ward 19 -22, will be launched in five weeks.’
The Mama Market truck for West Coast Central stretching from Wards 15-18 will be launched in due course.
The Mama Market truck for West Coast Namatanai will also be launched in due course.
These interventions are to encourage self-empowerment and self-reliance in putting families first through a bottom-up approach to touch lives. This project is piloted in the MP’s home LLG of Matalai and has had a great impact on the community.
Schnaubelt said that the much anticipated Namatanai airstrip would be opened in due course once political interference ceased and all work was complete.
In three months’ time solar kits will be distributed. The kits contain quality four-piece lights that are easy to connect. A training workshop will be run to train households how to operate the solar kits.
Three containers will be donated by an American foundation, one for medical equipment and two for medical drugs that will be enough to last the district up to seven months.
Plans are also underway for the foundation to supply educational materials in future.
Schnaubelt further stressed that he would not rest but make sure there were more than one options to access funds for the development of the district.
“Where there was, we advance, where there wasn’t, we will create, so that when one door closes, another opens.”
Schnaubelt is adamant to work tirelessly for his people and says his vessel is on auto-pilot, destined for service delivery.
“If you want to change Namatanai, you get on board this vessel that is heading for a dream, a dream to see the new Namatanai.”
He urged public servants, Namatanai elites and other stakeholders to focus on one common goal – “people first.”
“I am going to run towards that goal. If I cannot run, I will walk, and if I cannot walk, I will crawl.
“But I will never stop until we see the Namatanai that we dream of, to make a better place for the next generation and beyond.”

• Rebecca Marigu is a freelance writer.