YWAM Madang and YWAM Ships Kona Strengthens Medical Outreach in Papua New Guinea

Date: October 9, 2024

*Dr. Claudia Choy Reports on Productive Meetings with Local Medical Authorities*

**Madang, Papua New Guinea** — This week, Dr. Claudia Choy, the medical coordinator for YWAM Ships Kona, along with her team (Lauryn Clark, nurse and medical team lead and Patricia Beltramini, field outreach strategy coordinator) convened with several key doctors and medical authorities in Madang to discuss the progress and future of YWAM’s medical operations in the province. For the past three years, these efforts have been pivotal in providing essential healthcare services to some remote regional locations.

Dr. Martin Damien, the Director of Public Health Services and Madang Provincial Health Authority, expressed gratitude for the nearly 3,500 individuals who have received care from YWAM’s medical outreach efforts this year alone. These medical operations have transformed the health landscape and injected an estimated 550,000 PGK into the local economy over the past eight months.

“The collaboration between our clinic work and the local health care system has been incredibly fruitful,” Dr. Choy remarked. The established partnership has allowed for the outreach teams to bring early detection of malaria through the RDT’s tests provided by the provincial hospital.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of integrating local health workers into YWAM’s programs over the next year, and reporting to the health care authorities of tuberculosis and malaria cases for their surveillance efforts.

Shortly, regular data submissions via satellite will ensure that health offices remain updated on critical health statistics and indicators.

“Aligning our efforts to support the existing health care system was a key focus during our meetings, particularly regarding emergency communication strategies, when our medical brigades encounter urgent cases that require hospitalization,” Dr. Choy noted. Improving our timely communication back to the hospital is essential for Dr. Damiens team to prepare for incoming patients from the rural villages and nearby islands. 

Dr. Choy reiterated YWAM’s steadfast commitment to the National Healthcare Goals, emphasizing efforts to bridge healthcare gaps and strengthen local services. The action points from the meeting included notifying Rural Outreach Coordinator and stakeholders for appropriate catchment and follow up, sharing dates about YWAM’s plans through 2029, submitting current year’s tally sheets, and continuing holistic care initiatives.

“These meetings have been constructive and encouraging,” Dr. Choy stated, reflecting on her first opportunity to meet the full spectrum of medical authorities in the area. “We have a follow-up meeting in two weeks to continue discussing how we can work closer together.”

These discussions underscore YWAM Ships Kona’s dedication to reaching isolated communities across the South Pacific with vital medical care, education, and the message of hope.

YWAM Ships Kona, Hawaii