Kopkop College donates delivery beds to hospital

Bambi Kopkop College in Kavieng donated four delivery beds to the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority [PHA] to support maternal health services at the provincial hospital.

The equipment was presented by New Ireland PHA board chairlady and Kopkop College founder Dame Maria Kopkop, alongside two student representatives.

Receiving the donation were acting PHA chief executive officer Dominic Sahamie, maternity sister-in-charge Talitha Nelson, assistant sister-in-charge Rosewitha Alapi, and senior hospital executives.

Dame Maria urged local leaders and the business community to step forward with direct assistance rather than criticizing public health facilities.

“It is important that leaders and business houses in New Ireland do not wait for the hospital to call for help,” Dame Maria said.

“Instead of standing outside and criticizing the hospital, put your money where your mouth is and come forward to assist.”

Sr Nelson thanked the college management and students, stating that the contribution directly addresses a critical equipment shortage in the ward.

“We desperately needed these beds, and receiving them now is timely,” Sr Nelson said.

“These beds will assist our staff and help address preventable complications during delivery.”

She also acknowledged hospital management for delivering two other beds recently, adding that the four new additions bring the maternity section’s total to six delivery beds.

Dame Maria assured staff she would raise critical facility issues during the PHA executive meeting, including the need for a dedicated plumbing maintenance team and the relocation of the children's ward, which currently sits adjacent to the hospital morgue.

Kopkop College has maintained a long-standing initiative of donating medical and office supplies to health facilities in both Kavieng and Gerehu General Hospital in Port Moresby.