Ok Tedi donates oxygen cylinders to hospital

OK Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) donated 500 life-saving oxygen cylinders and other medical emergency equipment to Goroka Hospital on Friday to help the health authority manage a surge in Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.
The donation came about through an initiative by the Eastern Highlands community at the Ok Tedi mine who raised funds following an appeal by the Seventh-day Adventist Students Association of Eastern Highlands earlier in the month.
The presentation was made by the mine’s superintendent for occupational health and safety, Philip Baniel, and mine dispatchment officer Yagatau Hamem.
Baniel said they represented Eastern Highlanders not only working for OTML but those in the mining township of Tabubil.
He thanked the OTML management and the people of Western for the prompt response to their appeal.
Baniel said the equipment included the oxygen cylinders, face masks and protective suits.
Eastern Highlands health authority (PHA) chief executive Dr Joseph Apa thanked the miner and Western for the assistance.
He said Eastern Highlands, such as Western and West Sepik, were Covid-19 hot spots and welcomed all the help it received to managed the latest surge.
“I thank the sons, daughters and other Eastern Highlanders out there for thinking of their people, it is always good to give support back home when in times of need,” he said.
Dr Apa acknowledged the Seventh-day Adventist Students Association for its part in driving appeals around the country.
He said the PPEs would be distributed to health workers and police personnel manning the borders and at facilities in the province.
Dr Apa said the PHA had received 170 oxygen cylinders from the OTML donation and the rest would arrive this week.