Medical Supplies and Equipment to be delivered to PNG following First Lady’s Fundraiser in the USA

Four containers of life-saving medical supplies and equipment will be delivered to Papua New Guinea next year following the successful First Ladies Luncheon attended by Ms Lynda Babao-O’Neill, and the generous support of ExxonMobil and PNG / LNG.

The luncheon that was held in Denver, the United States, on 5 November, raised funds to ship more than 4 million Kina (USD 1.6 Million) in medical supplies. The event was organized by global health non-profit, Project C.U.R.E, was funded by ExxonMobil PNG Limited for $100,000 USD, and it was the Tribal Foundation that brought its partners together to make the Luncheon a reality for the benefit of PNG.

At the fund raising event Ms Babao-O’Neill had the opportunity to discuss progress being made in the delivery of healthcare in the nation, and the challenges that have been experienced.

She said despite underinvestment in healthcare in the past, where infrastructure did not keep pace with a rising population, progress is now being made.

“The country now has clear priorities that include the provision of universal free healthcare,” she told the audience.

“This is important, because if our people are not healthy, the other elements in life diminish in importance.”

Ms Babao-O’Neill thanked ExxonMobil and Tribal Foundation and Project Cure in providing assessments and medical supplies throughout the country. “I would like express my most sincere gratitude for ExxonMobil and the company’s continuous support, particularly in empowering women in Papua New Guinea.”

The news of the medical shipment was provided by Mr Laurie S. Porter, the Events Manager at Project C.U.R.E. in Colorado who arranged the First Lady’s Luncheon. Mr Porter expressed his delight to participate in the program that will be appreciated by people around Papua New Guinea.

GT Bustin, President of the Tribal Foundation said, declared the event a great success.

"The word from our partners at Project C.U.R.E. Is that this is the most successful First Ladies Luncheon they have ever had,” Mr Bustin said.

“Ms Lynda Babao-O'Neill did an exceptional job of representing Papua New Guinea and the people of Colorado are still talking about how impressed they are with her genuine and kind disposition. I wish all of Papua New Guinea could have been there to witness the event. It was a proud moment for us all."

Ms Babao-O'Neill and Children's Hospital Colorado will identify the deliver site of one of the four containers. ExxonMobil & PNG/ LNG will identify the delivery site of the remaining three containers, while Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation will handle the logistics and delivery of the four containers.

There is a further chance that a fifth container could be delivered dependent upon the shipping costs for each container. The Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation is working with local shipping and transport partners to facilitate this potential shipment.