Vessel returns home

 THE medical and training ship mv YWAM PNG, has returned to her home port of Townsville after her maiden voyage to Western, Gulf, Central, Milne Bay, Northern and Morobe.

It provided in the past nine weeks primary health care, dentistry, eye health and capacity building initiatives to 12,012 patients in 81 villages. 

There were 196 volunteers representing 15 nationalities, with 49 from Papua New Guinea.

The vessel was commissioned by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in April following a public awareness and fundraising campaign.

The Department of National Planning was the biggest donor towards the vessel.   

YWAM MSA’s managing director Ken Mulligan said the vessel’s first voyage was memorable.

“So many – like us – hoped for a ship that would reach remote and rural areas of the country,” he said.

“We realised how far-reaching that hope was when we travelled throughout the Southern region and Huon Gulf and heard the stories from village leaders, health workers and government officials who united with us in that dream.

“The mv YWAM PNG’s arrival was celebrated in such a heart-felt way in every province we visited. it has set a wonderful foundation for the years ahead.”

Field operations manager Hannah Peart said one of the most memorable moments was treating 29-year-old Alfred who had been suffering from leprosy for more than 20 years.

“Alfred had the most severe case of leprosy we had ever seen. He had extensive nerve damage that led to the loss of his fingers, toes and his right foot,” Peart said. “The Morobe provincial disease control officer was on our team the day we met Alfred and was able to diagnose Alfred with leprosy and arrange for medication to be transported to him.

“Alfred never knew what was wrong with him. He referred to it as his sickness. We were able to share with him that there was hope. While his deformities are irreversible, he could be cured.

“Alfred’s case will now be used to help strengthen training among health workers in Morobe.”