By SEPKOLIN WALNE
A MILESTONE partnership was reinforced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Port Moresby General Hospital to improve eye care in the country.
NDoH Chief Ophthalmologist Dr Simon Melengas said this project was vital for eye care services in the country.
“It’s a pivotal project that will help us reduce the level of blindness in the country,” he said.
PMGH Chief Executive Officer Dr Paki Molumi acknowledged the partners for making funds available for the project.
“We thank the people of New Zealand for pulling other partners, Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia, The Church of Latter-day Saints, and many other partners who have contributed to ensuring that the funding is available,” Dr Molumi said.
The Fed Hollows Foundation New Zealand signed a MoU in 2018 with the National Department of Health to improve eye care access.
FHF NZ Deputy Board chair, Sir Maarten Wevers, said the goal was to eliminate blindness in PNG.
“In 2018, we considered the idea of building new teaching and clinical facilities in the same location so that teachers, students, and patients will all be in the same place.
“This facility will provide clinical services, as well as a setting for training and research,” Sir Maarten said.