Queensland medical donation to support Lutheran health services in PNG

A container of medical supplies donated by organisations and volunteers in Queensland, Australia, has been handed over to Lutheran Health Services in Lae.

The supplies arrived in Papua New Guinea aboard an Australian Navy vessel and will be distributed to Lutheran hospitals and health facilities in Morobe, Madang and the Highlands.

The donation comes as health facilities continue to deal with shortages of essential medical supplies.

Australian Consul-General in Lae, Brenton Kanowski, said the donation was a practical way of supporting Lutheran Health Services and the communities it serves.

He said the supplies were collected and packed by volunteers in Queensland before being transported to Australia for shipment to Papua New Guinea.

The Australian Government helped facilitate the transportation of the container to Lae aboard the Australian Navy vessel.

Kanowski said the shipment showed how community organisations, volunteers and government could work together to support health services in Papua New Guinea.

The medical supplies include consumables that will be used by Lutheran hospitals and clinics across several provinces.

Lutheran Health Services provides healthcare to communities through a network of hospitals and clinics, including areas where access to government health services can be limited.

A representative of Lutheran Health Services said the supplies would help health workers continue providing care to patients and support facilities dealing with shortages.

The donation was part of wider Australian support delivered during the Australian Navy vessel's visit to Lae.

The vessel also brought two fire trucks and other supplies for community projects.

For Lutheran Health Services, the medical supplies are expected to provide immediate support to health workers and patients relying on church-run health facilities across the country.