110 wheelchairs worth more than K50,000 were donated to the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGH) yesterday.
The wheelchairs were donated by the Rotary Club of Boroko in association with the wheelchair Foundation and various rotary clubs in Australia and Goolwa.
Dr Umesh Gupta, the chief executive officer of POMGH said the donation was timely as the festive period is a time where irresponsibility on the roads can lead to people being confined in wheelchairs.
He said people need to be extra careful when celebrating during the festive period.
“There’s a need for people to drink responsibly, to enjoy Christmas responsibly and make sure that they and their families can continue into 2018,” he said.
Dr Gupta thanked the rotary club for the generosity and for their long standing support and contribution to the hospital over the years.
President of Rotary Club Boroko, Russel Jackson, said paramount priority of the rotary is to keep helping communities and the people.
This is the fourth shipment in the past 10 years, and of the 110 wheelchairs, 40 will go to POMGH, another 40 will be donated to the National Orthotics and Prosthetics Services (NOPS), 10 will be donated to PNG Rehab Centre and the remaining will go to other outstation centres.
The wheelchairs are 12 to 20 inches and are suitable for both adults and children.
The Rotary Club of Boroko has been involved in various health and education projects in NCD and the Papua Region, from Milne bay to Gulf Province.
Supreme Industries and HI lift provided logistics assistance to deliver the wheelchairs.
The Rotary Club of Boroko is now planning to donate hospital beds, medical and surgical equipment to the West New Britain (WNB) Hospital.
They are working closely with the Governor of WNBP Province, Sasindral Muthuvel, the Rotary Club of Geelong, Australia, PNG Tribal Foundation and Project Cure USA.
This is expected in January 2018.