US envoy thrilled by Samaritan Aviation work

STANDING by the Sepik River and witnessing life in this special part of the world completes an adventure I never imagined possible.
United States Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray said this after visiting a village along the Sepik River in East Sepik with faith-based organisation, Samaritan Aviation.
This 700-mile river is home to about 220,000 people.
About 80 per cent of those living along the Sepik River suffer from malaria.
The infant mortality rates in the area are often as high as 40 per cent, according to Samaritan Aviation.
Given the fact that the river is surrounded by a dense jungle with virtually no roads, electricity and little to no access to emergency medical care, it takes the people five to seven days by dugout canoe to get the care they needed.
However, with Samaritan Aviation’s two floatplanes, it takes a shorter period to provide emergency life flights to the main hospital in Wewak.
Ebert-Gray was invited to Wewak last month for a dedication service of Samaritan Aviation’s air ambulance and was thrilled with the efforts by the organisation in saving lives.
“Being here today to witness the dedication of your (Samaritan Aviation) new air ambulance renews my own hope and understanding of the value of human life. It also gives me first hand appreciation of the challenges which all government and non-governmental organisations encounter in delivering services to people in East Sepik and Papua New Guinea as a whole.
“As an American and as a representative of the United States here in PNG, I am exceptionally proud of the support Americans provide in rural areas here and around the world, and I want to assure all of you that this benevolence is part of our DNA and will continue.
“Where possible, the USA will also continue to work with your government to achieve PNG’s goals of Vision 2050 and Medium Term Development Strategy. I respect that one of PNG’s key goals is to improve the health and livelihood of the people of Papua New Guinea and I am pleased that Samaritan Aviation is greatly contributing to achieving this outcome.
“Last November, back in Port Moresby in conjunction with Apec meetings, I want to tell you how honoured I was to watch US Vice President Mike Pence sign an agreement, together with PNG, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, to support PNG electrification plans to reach 70 per cent of the population by 2030. In the words of Vice President Pence, “this project will improve the quality of lives for people across PNG for generations to come’. That work is already underway, as you can see in the news, and the United States is looking for new ways to partner in support of PNG’s development goals. My friend, the Indian High Commissioner, is just one of those partners with ambitions to assist in education and agriculture – both areas of high potential in this province.
“It was therefore valuable to meet with your provincial government today, and I have enjoyed my productive conversations with East Sepik Governor Allan Bird. I must say that your governor (Bird) is very focused on the needs of his people – both today, in into the future. I respect how committed he is to your needs, leading your province, and improving governance.
“Allow me to share my appreciation to his entire government – and others in the region – who have pledged funding and support to Samaritan Aviation, and the work of all of those who are delivering needed services in rural areas. This reflects sincere and good governance, and care which technology will never replace.
“To conclude, Mark Palm (founder of Samaritan Aviation), I again extend my sincere appreciation to you, your family, and the Samaritan Aviation team for inviting me to join you in celebration today, and to the provincial government for your continuing support and belief in the work of Samaritan Aviation.”
Palm thanked the Government, Digicel Foundation and the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority for supporting the faith-based organisation’s efforts to save lives through the use of its floatplanes, locally known as saman balus, as air ambulance.
Last month, Samaritan Aviation celebrated the airlifting of its 1,000th patient from a remote area to Wewak Hospital.
Palm said: “We delivered over 150,000 pounds (over 74,000kg) of medical supplies to 40 different aid posts and clinics on the Sepik River. We are proud to partner with all of you in delivering medical services.”