Talks on YWAM services

DISCUSSIONS and plans for the continuation of volunteer medical service along the southern provinces of PNG by YWAM Medical Ship Australia are being convened in Port Moresby this week.
The YWAM MSA is a Christian charity.
One of its aims is to deliver health services and improve quality of life in remote and rural areas.
Those attending the discussions include former prime minister and patron of YWAM MSA in PNG Sir Rabbie Namaliu, former Queensland speaker and patron of YWAM MSA for Australia Mike Reynolds and the managing director of YWAM MSA Ken Mulligan.
Talks will be held with key stakeholders on best strategies for the ship to address medical and development needs in the southern provinces.
The medical voyage this year is to begin in May.
The programme has achieved 106,384 health, training and community development outcomes since it started in May 2009, says former Queensland speaker and patron of YWAM MSA for Australia Mike Reynolds.
Reynolds said YWAM Medical Ship mv Pacific Link made its maiden voyage in August 2010 and served the communities of Gulf for three months.
In 2011, the programme conducted and expanded its services across Gulf, Western and NCD and continued similar efforts last year, Reynolds said.
Since it started, the outreach has been supported by the Department of Health, the Gulf and Western provincial governments, PNG Sustainable Development Program, Ok Tedi, InterOil and Steamships.
Sir Rabbie said the programme was aimed at the remote areas in the southern region that had no access to basic and regular health services.
Sir Rabbie said the Townsville-based medical ship was fully equipped with modern medical facilities, including dentistry and cardiac operations being done on board as well.
He said the outreach fully relied on volunteers to implement its programme.