Surplus medical equipment donated to PNG

A shipping container loaded with second hand wheelchairs, hospital beds, mobility aids and mattresses will soon be distributed to rural health clinics in PNG’s Western Highlands and Chimbu Provinces.

The donation was coordinated by Zion registered nurse, Janet Thavung, who worked as a registered nurse and midwife in PNG before emigrating to Australia in 2007.

Ms Thavung said the beds and mobility aids would make an incredible difference to the staff and patients in the rural clinics, who often had to make do with very limited resources.

The shipping container also carried bundles of second hand clothes, bedding and towels donated by both Zion and individual Zion staff members.

“The beds, mattresses and shower chairs will be distributed to eight rural health centres in the Western Highlands and Chimbu Provinces to improve maternal and child health care services,” Ms Thavung said.

“All clothing will be given to student pastors and their families at Ogelbeng Lutheran Seminary, the lift hoist and walkers will be given to Mt Hagen hospital and the other items distributed according to the needs of each health facility.”

It is Zion’s second donation to PNG; another shipping container of surplus equipment was delivered in 2011. In that case, the shipping costs were met by a PNG politician.

This year, Ms Thavung met the shipping costs through a combination of fundraising and generous donations from PNG families and friends.

After beginning her nursing career in rural PNG, Janet became a midwife and acting director of nursing at Braun District Hospital and then served as deputy principal of the Lutheran School of Nursing in Madang, on the northern coast of PNG.