Wabag, Enga Province, 14 November 2024 – The International Organization from Migration (IOM), with funding from the Government of Japan, and working in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea including the Enga Provincial Government, officially handed over critical medical equipment to enhance healthcare service delivery for communities impacted by the landslide that struck  Mulitaka community in Enga Province.  

The handover ceremony, held at the Enga Provincial Government Office, marks a crucial investment in health infrastructure for the Mulitaka landslide-affected communities. The donated equipment will support essential healthcare services at the Mulitaka Health Center and Pokolip Aid Post, ensuring that healthcare providers can address the health needs of affected populations and improve the quality of care.  

"This donated medical equipment and tools will significantly enhance healthcare delivery at the Mulitaka Health Center and Pokolip Aid Post, strengthening the provision of essential healthcare services to communities impacted by the landslide in the Maip-Mulitaka, Porgera, and Laiagam Districts of Enga province,” said Likas Lakain, Acting Director of Public Health Services, Enga Provincial Health Authority. He also emphasized the critical role these resources will play in enabling local health centers to reach vulnerable communities more effectively and provide continuous care. 

Provincial Administrator Sandis Tsaka thanked the Government of Japan for the continues support to Enga province and spoke on the importance of resilience-building in regions prone to natural hazards. "This handover represents a critical investment in the resilience of our communities and in the dedication of health workers who continue to respond to local needs under challenging circumstances. We are committed to strengthening disaster preparedness and supporting recovery,” he noted.  

“The provision of this equipment underscores our commitment to building resilient health systems, working in partnership with the local authorities,” said Sakurako Oki, IOM’s Public Health Specialist.  She noted that the equipment would not only address current health demands but also enhance the readiness of local health centers for future emergencies. 

The medical supplies include hand washing stations with brass taps, labour/delivery beds, hospital grade bed sheets, insulated vaccine carrier boxes, latex disposable examination gloves, waste bin with wheels, medical waste bin with single lid, and boxes for used syringes and needles. The supplies, funded by the Government of Japan, will be distributed to Mulitaka health center and Pokolip aid post in Maip Mulitaka local level government.  

These resources will help to support healthcare workers in providing life-saving treatments and preventive care to the local population. 

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For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby: 

Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int 

Anne Mandal, Tel: +675 72026763, Email: amandal@iom.int