PNG PM O'Neill O’Neill thanks US for help in health care delivery

Papua New Guinea and the United States are working together to save the lives of people suffering from HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has expressed Papua New Guinea’s appreciation and gratitude to the United States Government for its ongoing healthcare engagement and in logistical support for APEC Papua New Guinea 2018.

PM O’Neill made the remarks during a courtesy call from the United States’ Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Catherine Ebert-Gray, in Port Moresby.

“Delivering healthcare programs and promoting awareness on how people can avoid contracting serious diseases is a priority for our Government and our partners in the United States Government,” the Prime Minister said after the meeting.

“We are working together on healthcare challenges and this is delivering results to successfully reduce these diseases.

“One of the greatest challenges we face in reducing Tuberculosis, particularly in the Gulf and Western provinces, is expanding education and awareness so that people complete their medication cycles.”

The Prime Minister said the government is to implement a program that will enable TB drug-resistant patients to attend healthcare facilities where they can receive their full medication treatment and not risk passing TB to loved ones.

“Our Government is working to provide housing facilities for patients in Gulf and Western.

“When someone contracts TB they will be able to receive their medication and recover in temporary healthcare housing where the risk of disease spread is reduced.”

The Prime Minister thanked the United States for assisting Papua New Guinea in preparations for APEC to ensure a safe and secure environment for Leaders, Ministers and delegates.

“Representatives from United States’ security agencies participated in the Sixth APEC Security Partners Working Group meeting Port Moresby last week, and from this we continue to advance security preparations.

“APEC in Papua New Guinea will be a truly Pacific series of events around our country, and with the highest level of security required to ensure our hosting of APEC is a success.”

The Prime Minister also advised Ambassador Ebert-Gray that the upcoming National Elections will be a demonstration of the strength of Papua New Guinea’s democracy.

“The political process in Papua New Guinea continues to evolve and we will see the most transparent elections in our history through the coming months.

“We warmly welcomed the observer team that the United States will be providing for locations around the country.”

Picture:   Prime Minister O’Neill receives an Illustrated History of America book from Ambassador Ebert-Gray