LocationsRural COVID-19 Response Boosted with additional donation of ambulances funded by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund
April 29, 2022
Ambulances taken to the AES wharf at Napanapa to be prepared for shipment.
The Indian Government and the United Nations Development Programme handed over an additional 6 ambulances to the Department of Health and HIV/AIDS in early April.
The Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Hon. Jelta Wong, Indian High Commissioner Shri Inbasekar, and the Members' for Menyamya Open, Hon. Benjamin Philip and Anglimp South Wahgi Hon. Joe Kuli and Motu-Koita Assemby Chairman Hon. Dadi Toka Jnr were present during the handover at the National Parliament, in Port Moresby.
This brings a total of 10 ambulances handed over to the national government since 2021 to continue to support its efforts to address ongoing pressures of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea’s rural health system.
The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Edward Vrkic thanked the Government of India for its generous support.
“As the pandemic is still ongoing but also for any other medical emergency, emergency response services in rural regions are in need of effective ambulance services,” he said.
Hon. Philip and Hon. Kuli will each get an ambulance for their district respectively.
Mr Kuli thanked the Indian government for ambulances. He said: “Anglimp South Wahgi is a big electorate that shares its borders with Western Highlands and Simbu provinces and serves around 160,000 people. The ambulance will assist the community.”
From left to right: Chairman of Motu-Koita Assembly Dadi Toka Jr., Indian High Commissioner H.E. Shri Inbasekar, the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Hon. Jelta Wong, Deputy Resident Representative Mr Edward Vrkic, Member for Menyamya Open Hon. Benjamin Philip and Member for Anglimp South Whagi Hon. Joe Kuli at the handover ceremony at the National Parliament, in Port Moresby.
This brings a total of 10 ambulances handed over to the national government since 2021 to continue to support its efforts to address ongoing pressures of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea’s rural health system.
The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Edward Vrkic thanked the Government of India for its generous support.
“As the pandemic is still ongoing but also for any other medical emergency, emergency response services in rural regions are in need of effective ambulance services,” he said.
Hon. Philip and Hon. Kuli will each get an ambulance for their district respectively.
Mr Kuli thanked the Indian government for ambulances. He said: “Anglimp South Wahgi is a big electorate that shares its borders with Western Highlands and Simbu provinces and serves around 160,000 people. The ambulance will assist the community.”
Hon. Philip also shared the same sentiments adding that it is a timely assistance for the people in his community.
UNDP procured 10 new ambulances with the generous assistance of the Government of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. The first two ambulances were handed over in 2021 and assigned to St. John’s Ambulance Services to boost capacities to cope with recent surges. Further 2 ambulances were handed over in February to the Department of Health and HIV/AIDS. The Member for Finschhafen, Hon. Rainbo Paita for the Finschhafen District, Morobe Province received one of these ambulances. The remaining new ambulances being handed over to the Department of Health and will be assigned throughout the country. 5 existing ambulances have been upgraded.
