“We haven’t had medical service of any kind here in over five years.” This was a quote from a Faia resident in a remote village in the Gulf Province.

This past week Samaritan Aviation partnered with Gulf Christian Services to provide medical patrols to five remote communities.

This directly impacted hundreds of children and families. Our focus was immunisations, health screenings, and evaluations of pregnant mothers. This is an example of the great partnership between Samaritan Aviation and Gulf Christian Services.

SA flew out medical staff to the remote villages from Kapuna Hospital and Kikori Hospital.

“We turned a two-day trip into a 40-minute flight,” said Samaritan founder and CEO Mark Palm, who piloted one of the 2 floatplanes that Samaritan Aviation had in the Gulf Province this week.

Samaritan Aviation aims to provide hope and access to remote communities which they have done in the East Sepik Province for the past fourteen years.

“This week, we were able to visit mini-remote communities that are desperate for medical service delivery.

“Our main goal as an NGO is to serve these remote communities and share the love of Jesus,” said Joey Burns, Samaritan Aviation Board Member.

Samaritan Aviation can do this because of our partnership with the Gulf Provincial Government and the Kikori district.

“We are grateful to the Gulf Governor, Sir Chris Haiveta, and his team for their financial partnership of 3 million Kina last year to help us begin our expansion plans to the Gulf.

“We are currently working to design and build a floating dock at the Kapuna Hospital where our staff will be based.

“We are also building staff housing intending to have a floatplane based In Kapuna next year.” Kikori MP Soroi Eoe is supporting the endeavour with the release of 50,000 Kina to assist with airplane fuel as well.

Another highlight for the week was the partnership agreement that Gulf Christian Services and Samaritan Aviation’s leadership signed.

Samaritan Aviation’s board chairman Dr Dan Cransten was in Papua New Guinea to sign this important document. Hundreds from the local villages witnessed this event.

There was lots of singing, speeches, and excitement for the future!

“It was an honour for us to partner with the amazing staff and leadership team from Gulf Christian Services,” said Dr Cransten.

Link: postcourier