A volunteer awareness group in Madang known as Madang Art Maniacs engaged in covid19 awareness says it needs assistance to get printing materials to conduct more awareness.

Spokesperson, Robert Banasi, says as volunteer artists they are seeking assistance from Madang community to help them continue their awareness program.

“We have started carrying out awareness and through Melanesian foundation through Sir Peter Barter has recognized the work we are doing through volunteer basis and has provided us with materials to carry on the awareness program”

The group has continued to raise awareness in rural communities in Madang for the past five weeks since the initial 14 days lockdown and are still continuing.

Volunteer group MAM has been conducting awareness for the past five weeks.

The group with the assistance from organizations   like IMR and Melanesian Foundation they have been to bring messages on covid 19 from communities to communities.

MAM has put together posters and information kits on covid19 messages to distribute to the community.

“The information kit consists of audios, videos, jingles, music to help villagers to understand what is covid19. So, what we are doing is we are committing all our equipment, resources as well as our professional skills to contribute in helping our community. We also take into consideration people with special needs”

The information kits are specifically done for the village people to understand what is covid19 including preventative measures.

Those materials were printed through the support of a number of businesses in Madang including individuals.

The group although was recognized by the Madang provincial authority to carry out awareness in the communities.

By Martha Louis, EMTV News, Madang

Kikori district MP, Soroi Eoe, has committed over 1.5 million Kina to the Gulf Provincial Government and the National State of Emergency COVID-19 Task Force Team’s efforts in the Gulf province.

The district is prioritizing to respond to the COVID-19 threat, particularly along the district’s border especially with Western Province.

With three positive cases in Western Province, the district’s priority right now is to see that the coronavirus doesn’t spread into the Gulf Province.

Kikori District Development Authority  Chairman and Member for Kikori, Soroi Eoe, says Gulf Province shares its borders with Western Province, and with cases already identified in Western, he was very concerned.

At the moment the local COVID-19 response team and health personnel are waiting for PPEs, gloves, sanitizers, disinfection agents, and thermometer guns to be used at the borders to check people

The local MP will also be visiting the district next week to make awareness on COVID-19 and also give funds for disaster-affected areas. The district has already prepared and educated themselves on the preventative measures of coronavirus.

Satellite phones will also be given to the border surveillance and security team to ensure efficient communication is made with the Provincial COVID-19 Centre in Kerema and the National Operations Centre.

By Michelle Steven, EMTV News, Port Moresby

SOE Controller David Manning has released a statement on the most recent positive case of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea, which brings the total number of cases to 8.

“It is my duty to inform you that we have another COVID-19 case in Eastern Highlands Province, bringing our total number of infected persons to 8.
Our most recent case is a 45-year old female, originally from the Eastern Highlands.”

It has been reported that two weeks ago she developed fever and shortness of breath and body aches. She then presented herself to the Asaro Health Centre on the 12th of April and was immediately admitted at the health centre. She was managed for one week and improved.

Whilst admitted on 17th of April her samples were collected and sent to PNG Institute of Medical Research in Goroka. Her test returned positive four days later.
For quality assurance and best practice we are doing a second test for this patient. This is also being done for the positive cases that we have tested already.
She was managed by the staff at the Asaro Health Centre. Currently, the health centre is locked down for disinfection and the staff have been advised to be home-quarantined and are kept under surveillance.

The Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority will be taking care of the Asaro health centre staff during their lockdown. The management is also working with the police to manage any potential social issues arising from this case.

The Controller said also that in the meantime advocacy and contact tracing activities have begun starting today.
As you have seen from today’s update, there is a lot going on in the COVID-19 response in different areas such as screening and surveillance.
As per my update yesterday, I repeat the following directives which have been made to ensure life continues in the “new normal”

• Universities and tertiary education continues next Monday 27th of April;
• Primary and secondary schools resumes on the 4th of May 2020. All COVID-19 health protocols are to be strictly observed;
• All public transportation are still prohibited. Taxis may operate as long as there are not more than 3 passengers and in areas where there is a curfew such as the NCD they are not to operate at night. Strict COVID-19 health protocols will have to be followed;
• All domestic air travel to resume but only to provinces where there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19;
• All ships are allowed to berth and unload cargoes only. No passenger is allowed to disembark and no-one is allowed to board. At all times PPEs must be worn by both ship crew and port workers;

“I am aware of the issue of thousands of Papua Guineans who have been laid off and advise that I am in meetings with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations, the Union and the Employees and the Government to find a solution.”

He has urged members of the security forces, including the police to do their jobs honestly and with due care.

“My warning still stands, I will come down hard on any member of the police who abuse our citizens during the SOE.”

“Members of the public are advised to report any abusive conduct by members of the police force on the Police Internal Affairs hot line telephone number 3202634”.

Newcrest Mining and Australian Doctors International today came good with Personal Protective Equipment and cleaning agents for the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority.

Both organizations have been working closely with the New Ireland Covid19 Taskforce to ensure the Province is assisted in its preventative measures. Overall Newcrest has assisted with K20 million to assist with Covid19 on a national level.

The ADI has conducted COVID-19 Awareness Trips to Namatanai and Sentral LLG from the 7^th to 8^th  April 2020. They distributed public health posters, buckets and soaps to encourage handwashing and good hand hygiene for the prevention of COVID19 to health facilities and other amenities that people have access to most times such as church and trade stores. Hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes were also distributed for the health workers to use in their settings and when dealing with patients.

At the moment there are no confirmed cases for New Ireland yet, however Deputy taskforce Chairman and CEO of the Provincial Health Authority Dr Alex Wanganpi confirmed that 5 tests have been sent out of the province and now awaiting results. “ We cannot truly say that New Ireland is Covid19 free unless we actually have enough testing kits to conduct testing,” said Dr Waganapi.

The PHA thanked the political leadership of the Province for the well co-ordinated effort through the setting up of the Covid19 Taskforce stating it was about time all stakeholders in the province worked together to improve the overall Health status of the Province.

Present to witness the occasion was Provincial Administrator and Covid19 Taskforce Chairman Lamiller Pawut, Deputy Chairman Covid19 and CEO of PHA Dr Alex Wanganapi, Newcrest Kavieng office Manager Francis Sabadi and ADI’s Devlyn Olan.

Governor Sir Julius is kept fully informed on daily programs and “ New Ireland is lucky to have the support of various business houses and the Provincial Government has urged Newcrest to share these preventive Medical products with Manus, East New Britain, West New Britain, Bougainville and Golpu in the Morobe Province where Newcrest is a player in PNG.”

He said,” The loss of one life is a national concern and in any part of PNG is a national loss and we must all co-operate to help one another. I think out of this Corona crises PNG will come out more cooperative, Stronger, United and fired up to new heights. Just like the Tolais rose from the 1994 volcanic ashes, Manam Eruption and the Southern Highlands Earthquakes, Corona out of nowhere struck without warning, still “We shall overcome” as once said by the great Martin Luther King.”

SOE Controller David Manning has issues new instructions regarding the State of Emergency in Papua New Guinea.

As of 6pm today, all:

• Flights restrictions into and out of Rabaul are lifted and the Port of Rabaul to be re-opened as a designated international shipping port.
• Public transport is to be re-opened with operators to continue with hygiene measures of hand sanitizer, regular sanitizing of seats and social distancing of 25-seater PMV allowed up to 15 people and all other transport to 5 less than licensed. Taxis are permitted 2 passengers.
• Flight approvals for travel within and between non restricted Provinces are to be maintained by the airline operators who will supply passenger details to the National Operations Center. Passengers are required to complete a domestic travel form. Flight approvals for Western and West Sepik provinces will be approved by the NOC.

• The curfew within NCD, Central and Western Province will be amended to 10pm to 5am.
• Restaurants will open with social distancing measures and hand sanitizer for patrons. Alcohol is permitted to be sold for consumption on the premises ONLY.
• Places of worship for local services are permitted with hygiene protocols in place, including supplying hand sanitisers, sanitization of seats and social distancing of 1 meter. National and provincial religious gatherings or outreach programs, including conventions and crusades are not permitted.

Anglimp South Waghi MP, Joe Kuli through the District Development Authority supported the Jiwaka Provincial Covid-19 Committee with a funding of over K600, 000.

Half of the money will be used to reconstruct Kindeng Health Center in the Anglimp South Waghi Electorate as a quarantine and isolation center.

Kindeng Health Centre is one of the five health centres in Jiwaka Province that are being selected as the quarantine and isolation centres for Covid-19.

However, the health centres were rundown since Jiwaka was still part of Western Highlands Province nine years ago.

Local MP, Joe Kuli presented K380, 000 to the Jiwaka Provincial Health Authority, to rehabilitate the health centre as well as staff houses.

The four other health centres are Minj district hospital in the Anglimp South Waghi Electorate, Kimil and Nondugul Health Centres in the North Waghi Electorate, and Tabibuka Health Centre in Jimi Electorate.

The Province being scattered and mountainous, people will not have to travel or walk distances with the virus to Kudjip hospital.

This is a decision by the Provincial Covid-19 Committee to keep the quarantine and isolation centres accessible to the people.

A K122, 000 was given to the 84 Ward Councillors in the Anglimp-South Waghi electorate to carry out Covid-19 awareness at the community level.

Another K100, 000 was given for police operation in the electorate.

Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp recently presented a Covid-19 ambulance vehicle and a K1.2 Million for the preparedness and response plan.

The Covid-19 Committee are still doing awareness program in the Province and are in progress to rehabilitate health centres for isolation and quarantine.

By Vasinatta Yama, EMTV News, Mt Hagen

Deputy State of Emergency Controller Dr Paisen Dakulala yesterday gave a full update of the contact tracing and testing of persons of interest, in the four provinces where COVID-19 positive cases were detected.

Dakulala also said in the COVID-19 updates yesterday that PNG was fortunate that confirmed patients have been recovering from the virus, just at the mild stage.

Deputy State of Emergency Controller Dr Paison Dakulala yesterday gave an overall update of COVID-19 cases and the contact tracing taking place across the four provinces, which are NCD, Western Province, Eastern Highlands and East New Britain.

Dr Dakulala said that the country is anticipating more COVID-19 cases in the future but the Deputy SOE Controller says they are yet to establish a reason why only an isolated number of cases are being confirmed and keep on recovering from the mild state of COVID-19

He said that the front line workers and the citizens of Papua New Guinea should remain vigilant, in the fight against COVID-19.

By Fidelis Sukina, EMTV News, Port Moresby

Representatives of Persons With Disabilities in Lae are currently been engaged in an awareness training on COVID19.

The training is the first, and now brings PWDs into the picture of the overall COVID19 response in the province.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morobe is facilitating the awareness training under its COVID19 response program.

 About thirty representatives from the Persons with disabilities community in Lae attended a COVID-19 awareness training today.

The training is the first for PWDs since the COVID-19 response operations commenced in the province.

President of the Morobe Disabled Agency Benedict Hipom said he wants key people like himself to be utilized to conduct awareness for  PWDs at a wider level.

“I am in a better position to engage with people with disabilities because I am also a person with special needs. But I will need support from decision makers,” said Mr Hipom.

Morobe Province has responded well with preparedness towards the global pandemic so far, however, PWDs are concerned that the facilities are not user friendly for people with their conditions.

The Awareness Training is the initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morobe. ELC has partnered with PNG Family Health and the provincial Red Cross Society to facilitate the training.

The PWD awareness training is focused on COVID-19 preventative measures. It will be conducted in target areas in Lae throughout the week.

By Sharlyne Eri, EMTV News, Lae

With the ongoing provincial response towards COVID-19 in Morobe , Persons With Disabilities are calling for inclusiveness, especially through awareness.

A PWD in West Taraka , Philip Kaima, lost his right limb to diabetes a year ago.

He said it’s a struggle to get to central locations where awareness are being conducted.

Like others in his condition, Philip says it is a struggle to move around to designated areas where awareness are been conducted.

He says the only way he has been keeping up to date with COVID-19 is through the radio.

Awareness programs are ongoing in Lae, however, little consideration is given to Persons With Disabilities according to President of the Morobe disabled agency, Benedict Hipom.

So far, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morobe through its Church Partnership Program, is facilitating awareness program for PWDs. The program will cover areas in Lae, including West Taraka.

The program, though, has been deferred to next month over logistical issues with item kits.

For now, people with disabilities like Philip will continue to tune in to the radio or get updates on COVID-19 from family members or guardians.

With the ongoing awareness into communities, consideration should be given to PWDs especially those with hearing, speech and vision impairment.

By Sharlyne Eri, EMTV News, Lae

The National Government has approved 270million kina to fund the COVID 19 exercise.

Prime Minister James Marape says all these money will be accounted for and presented when Parliament resume on 2nd of June to debate the State of Emergency report.

PM Marape says funding will be released to Provinces through Provincial Health Authorities as the country prepares to see a spike in the months of July and November.

With the State of Emergency heading into its 2nd month, the National Executive Council has approved K270million.

Prime Minister James Marape says these funding is for the entire COVID19 exercise and covers everything.

These funding will be included in the SOE Report that will be tabled in Parliament for debate.

According to NOC19 officials, a spike is in COVID-19 cases is expected in July and end of November.

Health critics say cases are likely to happen in both rural and urban settings.

And with GeneXpert testing kits in the country, testing will be carried out in Provinces with the availability of special cartridges.

These also include 40 ventilators donated from the United States to be shared in major health facilities.

While many have criticized the money used in the COVID19 exercise, Prime Minister James Marape has assured the accountability of these funds.

He mentioned that the SOE report will be furnished and presented in Parliament including donor funding.

By Jack Lapauve Jnr, EMTV News, Port Moresby.

380 more GeneXpert Kits arrived in the country this morning from Australia.

This is part of the Australian Government’s effort in assisting Papua New Guinea against the COVID 19 threat.

The GeneXpert kit will enhance testing capabilities to understand if there is community transmissions or COVID 19 cases around the country.

At around 11am this morning, the Royal Australian Air Force C27-J carrying supplies and additional personnel from the Australian Defense Force touched down at the Jackson’s International airport.

The shipment included 12,000 rapid test kits, and 380 more GeneXpert tests, the first batch of which arrived last week.

The supplies are part of Australia’s wide-ranging package of support to the PNG Government to prepare for and respond to COVID-19, which already accounts for over PGK67 million reprioritised from existing commitments.

Health Minister Jelta Wong says the medical supplies will be repacked and redistributed to provinces according to officials at NOC19.

Wong is adamant the supplies will assist PHA’s around the country.

The flight also brought four Australian Defense Force personnel who, after completing 14 days of isolation, will support the Papua New Guinea Defense Force prepare for and mitigate any outbreak.

Governments of China and other development partners will also be assisting with more PPE’s and medical supplies this month.

Prime Minister James Marape says the Government will welcome all these efforts as it fights against the deadly pandemic.

By Jack Lapauve Jnr, EMTV News, Port Moresby

Yagaum Rural Hospital in Madang District serves more than 300 thousand people despite the rundown state of the hospital.

CEO Chris Kerowa, says the rural hospital needs a major renovation to be carried out in order for the hospital to serve its purpose.

“There is a need for us to renovate the hospital because most of the facilities were built in the 1950s and are old with terminates damaging most of the buildings.”

Kerowa made the remarks following the official presentation of a new ambulance this week.

Yagaum is a Lutheran run rural Hospital. It serves over 300 thousand people of North and South Ambenob LLG of Madang District including Transgogol area.

But it also sees patients from the other 5 Districts of Madang province.

From the outside the hospital buildings appear to be in good condition but a closer look reveals the buildings are old and in need of renovation.

Meanwhile the number of fleets Yagaum has are in bad condition yet the hospital continues to use them to transport patients.

Recently the Madang District Development Authority partnered with Digicel Foundation and presented two fully knitted brand new ambulances.

One Ambulance was given to Yagaum rural hospital while the other was presented to another health facility in Utu.

Madang MP, Bryan Kramer says the District Development Authority contributed K100 thousand kina while Digicel foundation met the other half to purchase two ambulances.

“For now we got two ambulances and I look forward to continuing working with ELC PNG and Yagaum hospital. The hospital has listed are number of equipment they need at the hospital to use. This list is genuine thus I can get an aid donor to support and get for the hospital just like the ambulance.

Rural Hospital CEO, Chris Kerowa, says it will greatly assist them.

“Most times expectant mothers deliver their babies on the way to the main hospital though we are close to Madang District, due to the road condition some patients die on the way.

However, most times the road condition is another factor affecting the amount of time it takes to transport patients to the main hospital.

The current rural hospital facilities were built in the 1950s and have been operating for more than 60 years now with no renovation work done to the facilities.

For this, it is experiencing frequent operational problems making it also costly to operate.

CEO, Chris Kerowa, says the new ambulance together with the old ambulance will assist them with logistics.

By Martha Louis, EMTV News, Madang

Sevese Morea Primary School is the latest of schools to see the launch of its hand washing facilities.

This comes as a result of the PNG-Australia partnership through WaterAid PNG to roll out a COVID-19 Awareness and Preparedness program.

The wash facilities were installed with support from the Australian Government through WaterAid PNG and Motu-Koita Assembly.

“This will give them access to good quality clean running water,” Deputy Australian High Commissioner Caitlin Wilson said.

“It will run alongside work by Motu-Koita Assembly and other community representatives to help spread the word on how you practice good hand hygiene,” she added.

More than 14, 000 students across eight Motu – Koita schools are benefiting from the 30 wash facilities.

The program has also been extended to the villages.

“The project was incepted in April, but we started the awareness work in early May,” Wateraid Program Deputy Director, Navara Kiene said.

“So we’ve trained some local volunteers to carry out prevention awareness on COVID-19 in the villages”.

By Bradley Valenaki, EMTV News, Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea is set to receive more than K2 million (USD 636,019.38) worth of additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) next month for frontline health workers across the country as part of ongoing support for the COVID-19 response.

This is the second round of PPE and IPC supplies procured by UNICEF through funding support and contributions from the Governments of Australia and Japan, World Bank and Newcrest Mining Limited.

“The safety of our health workers is of paramount importance to us. UNICEF is committed to supporting the government of Papua New Guinea in its preparedness and response to the world’s common enemy – the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UNICEF Representative, David Mcloughlin.

More than 670,000 PPE including examination gloves, N95 masks, surgical face masks, protective goggles, face shields, long sleeve gowns and coveralls arriving on this shipment will be available for distribution by the government to health facilities in the country.

The total procurement for PPE that UNICEF has procured for the country, including the tranches of supplies that arrived in March and May and this final shipment in June is valued at over K3 million (USD 918,940.00).

“We are extremely grateful to our donors and contributors for their generous and timely contributions that are enabling UNICEF to continue supporting the PNG government’s response to COVID-19,” Mcloughlin added.

Food rations for affected communities in the Samarai Murua District has commenced distribution.

Samarai Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard says the State of Emergency has restricted movement of people and daily patterns of food sourcing.

The rations will be distributed out of Misima to smaller islands in the district.With the State of Emergency being extended for 14 days, the lockdown effect has significantly had its toll on remote areas of the country.

With the District purchasing basic food rations, District officers have begun distribution to island communities.

A Community leader says ordinary people have been affected with movement a restriction.Fishing and gardening has slow-down by most households

Basic food items like rice, flour and oil is hoping to relief most islanders.

The local MP and District Chief executive were also part of the distribution team to talk to locals and assess the situation

The district is also challenged by weather as it continues its efforts.

The food ration is part of the COVID 19 efforts.

By Jack Lapauve Jnr, EMTV News, Port Moresby

The 95 Papua New Guineans who are stranded in Fiji, and 8 in Vanuatu will be airlifted back into the country by today.

State of Emergency Controller, David Manning announced that a charted Air Niugini plane will fly to these countries to repatriate the PNG citizens.

In the outward journey of this charted flight, 4 citizens from Solomon Islands and 21 from Fiji will return to their country.

The move by the National Government comes eight weeks after Governments of most countries had repatriated their citizens due to the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.

Manning who apologized for the late repatriation said the 103 citizens will be quarantined upon their arrival in Port Moresby.

Meanwhile all international flights into Papua New Guinea remain suspected as per National Emergency Orders.

By Theckla Gunga, EMTV News, Port Moresby

The Sir Brian Bell Foundation, through the Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine today observed the World Blood Donor Day.

The event aims to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products.

Business houses were urged to partner with the Foundation, for a blood donation drive at their work place.

The World Blood Donor Day was celebrated with the theme, safe blood saves lives.

It is an annual event, marked by the World Health Organization that aims to raise awareness on the importance of blood donation.

In observing the day, the Sir Brain Bell foundation, through the Sir Brian Bell Center for Transfusion Medicine, urged business houses to partner with the foundation, for a blood donation drive.
Blood transfusion Services manager, Dr. Amos Lano also stressed on the importance of donating blood.

The Sir Brain Bell Center for Transfusion medicine is one of the first transfusion medicine centers in the country, located at Port Moresby General Hospital.

This is where blood donations are collected, screened, crossed match and utilized for surgical procedures, people with severe trauma, cancer patients and people with blood disorders, among others.

While the center collects an average of 35 bags of blood each day, the demand for products is over 320 per day.

The general public were also urged to visit the Sir Brian Bell Center for Blood transfusion, to donate blood.

By Rayon Lakingu, EMTV News, Port Moresby

The Public Health Emergency Act since its passing in Parliaments with a majority vote of 74 to 14 votes, questions are still being raised on the purpose of the Act.

Prime Minister James Marape stating the Act would be in place as the SOE came to an end, with COVID-19 Pandemic still looming globally.

Health Minister Jelta Wong also stating in Parliament before the passing of the Act that while the health system has come a long way in it preparation he believed that strong legislative powers were still required.

The Public Health Emergency Act passed in Parliament to allow this government or any other government to use in the case of a health crisis.

What’s in the Act? The Public Health Emergency Act consists of what legislative powers the Controller in the Emergency has. Firstly all rights under Qualified Rights, which includes freedom of movement, expression, gathering, information are restricted.

The Act provides the setup of a National Control Centre for a coordinated National Response, that centre will consist of technical advisory council that consist of head of government bodies.

The Controller will be given full powers to carry out the national emergency while also carrying out directions form the National Executive Council. The Act allows for the controller to have full financial control and procurement powers as the Public finance Management Act will not apply when an emergency is declared.

The Opposition finding issue with this.

The Act states that no later than 3 months a furnished acquittal of funds must be given to the health Minister and NEC.

The Act only being evoked when a health emergency occurs. As for the COVID-19, the state of emergency is expected to come to an end this week and most of the surveillance and testing for COVID-19 response will still be continued by the National Department of Health.

By Adelaide Sirox Kari, EMTV News, Port Moresby

The Public Accounts Committee has deliberated in its inquiry of the Health department’s procurement and distribution of drugs and will be proceeding to table its reported findings and recommendations in the coming parliament sitting in August.

This was made known during a media conference earlier this afternoon by a quorum of PAC members.

A draft report of the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the health departments; specifically the procurement and distribution has proceed to its full stage of completion; ready to be presented in parliaments next sitting. Given the lapse in time from when the committee sat to date, the inquired report was impeded due to the recent worldwide scare of COIVD- 19.

The chairman highlighting that some findings from the department’s procurement and distribution of drugs have been very alarming; further stating that the final report once presented will also come with recommendations from the committee and alternative solutions going forward.

“Our inquiry has been about all the public funds that has gone into the procurement of drugs; revealing also a lot of failures in the part of NDoH in the way it has conducted itself. The findings have been alarming.”

The next part of the inquiry will be on the health department’s use of public funds will commence and that the Education department will be next in line to come under PAC’s scrutiny.

“The inquiry will continue into the use of the public funds. Notices will be further served for more information that the committee will require to analyse and people will be brought before the committee to provide evidence.
Adding that the next committee will also be concluding its inquiry into the old parliament house soon.

Despite the committee playing its role in keeping state agencies in check, the committee also expressed disappointed at the lack of support and clarity from sovereign participants to provide answers to conclude reports.

Adding that letters will again be sent to them to participate in upcoming PAC inquiries and that the committee might require their compliance in this meetings.

“A few parties we are disappointed respectively; whilst they may have the protection of indemnities as sovereign citizens working in PNG, AusAid for that matter have not been able to come before the committee. We would have appreciated if they had provided to us answers to some of the questions we wanted answers to.

By Annette Kora, EMTV News, Port Moresby

Under the newly created JMart Helping Hand Foundation, JMart Supermarket and Patricks Transport have donated a new hospital beds to health facilities in the nation’s capital, Central province and the East New Britain province.

Located at Erima, JMart specializes in the retail sector while Patrick Transport located at Gabuta specializes in the wholesale and transport sectors.

Founder, Justin Tan says since more people have donated personnel protective equipment’s and medical drugs hence JMart wanted to help in other ways by donating new beds to hospitals and clinics which will directly assist patients comfort and well-being during their recovery process.

The 202 beds have been distributed in two halves; 101 beds to East New Britain and 101 beds to NCD and Central.

They were officially presented to Minister for Health and HIV/ AIDS, Jelta Wong who highlighted the department’s constraints in procuring beds for hospitals nationwide.

On a similar front, St John Ambulance also received a helping hand from the foundation to boost its health service in the nation’s capital with a generous donation of three stretchers.

This builds on the support Tan and the Trakpro Company give through vehicle GPS tracking service to St John all year around.

by Annette Kora, EMTV News, Port Moresby