Through the partnership between Sustainable Development Program (SDP) and MAF, 74 remote communities can now receive health services and education in Western Province.
Story by Tajs Jespersen
“We are getting access to many kinds of service because of SDP,” said Jacob Laplrapir from Maka Village in Lake Murray. “Education, health, agriculture and infrastructure. We are usually removed from service, but the patrol teams come and help us.”
The change after five years of aerial health patrols is becoming visible in the communities.
“Because they are bringing us this kind of service, I know now that development will come here. I am happy about this, knowing that we will develop,” said Jacob Laplrapir.
Working closely together with the MAF bookings team in Papua New Guinea, Mary Biyama from SDP is tasked to arrange travel and accommodation for the 12 SDP aerial health patrol teams that serve 74 communities all over the Western Province.
“If they get disturbed, we get disturbed. So, we have to make sure that everything runs smoothly and there are no hiccups,” said Mary. “The important part is getting the teams home to their families and then sending them back to their jobs.”
The SDP patrol teams usually spend six weeks serving the rural communities before spending two weeks at home. It’s a work cycle that ensures sustainable development in the communities.
Hearing feedback, that they're able to understand and take care of themselves now. It’s very emotional.
MAF supports SDP to bring sustainable development to some of the most under-developed and isolated places throughout Western Province.
MAF flies out SDP health patrols primarily consisting of doctors, health and hygiene personnel under the wash program and education officers.
Being from Western Province herself, Mary gets emotional when talking about her work.
“I'd say I'm blessed to be part of this organisation. Having the support of MAF to reach out to…” said Mary, before taking a deep breath and wiping away tears. “Being part of the program where I'm able to help in that little way, to send people out to the remotest parts of my province and hearing feedback, that they're able to understand and take care of themselves now. It’s very emotional.”
MAF has several aircraft based in Western Province to enable the twelve teams to travel to the most isolated areas including the new float plane to serve communities via lakes and rivers.
While she has not met the people in the communities herself, she has heard about the difference being made for them.
“You hear their excitement through the voices of the health patrol team members. To me, it’s a blessing,” said Mary.
The Aerial Health Patrol program is initiated and funded by SDP and implemented in partnership with MAF in Western Province.