United States Government Donates Laboratory and Clinical Equipment to PNG

The U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Catherine Ebert-Gray has presented various laboratory and clinical equipment worth over K270,000 for distribution to a number of clinics located in Daru in the Western province and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

In a formal ceremony held on October 12 at the Lawes Road Clinic in Port Moresby, Ambassador Ebert-Gray turned over essential supplies that were needed to fight the spread of both Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea.

The equipment will enable doctors to provide quality care to their patients. It is expected that the deployment and efficient use of this equipment will enhance the ability to monitor for tuberculosis and HIV and proper physical examinations for all categories of patients.

The donation was part of the U.S. Government Assistance provided by the United States Agency for International Development, through the Challenge TB Project, implemented by FHI360.

This donation complements the work the U.S. government supports through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program in which the United States has spent more than $65 billion around the world over the past 13 years to combat HIV/AIDS.

In Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Government spends approximately 21 million Kina annually to fight the spread of HIV, in partnership with the PNG Department of Health.

At the ceremony, the Ambassador was joined on stage by Dr. Paison Dakulala, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Executive Managers, Dr. Lutty Amos, Acting Provincial Health Advisor of the National Capital District Health Services, and Dr. Pieter Van Maaren, Country Representative for the World Health Organization.

During her presentation, she commended the Department of Health for their leadership through national-level policy support, technical guidance, and the provision of critically needed HIV drugs and other necessary supplies to both treat and prevent the spread of HIV.