THE Kikori District Development Authority (KDDA) and the faith-based NGO Samaritan Aviation Incorporation (SAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance healthcare accessibility for the remote population in the district’s delta areas, river systems, and waterways.
The MoU was signed by KDDA Chairman and Member for Kikori, Hon Soroi Marepo Eoe, and Samaritan Aviation Medical Director, Dr Chris Cooke, witnessed by SAI’s Advisory Board Member, Michelle Hau’ofa, and KDDA Board Member, LLG President for West Kikori, Hon Buara Esega in Port Moresby.
The KDDA Board endorsed the partnership during its meeting on Wednesday.
Hon Eoe emphasized the importance of providing efficient healthcare and services for people living in areas without road access or rural airstrips.
SAI’s seaplanes will enable the provision of emergency life flights, medicine delivery, immediate disaster relief, and vaccine outreach in collaboration with hospitals, health centers, and clinics within the district. The KDDA has committed K100,000.00 per year for five years to support the aviation ministry’s operations within the district.
Hon Eoe said that the partnership with SAI complements the KDDA Board’s ongoing support for health services in the district, including a K10 million donation for upgrading the Kikori District hospital, K50,000 annual support for training community health workers (CHWs) at Kapuna, and K500,000 for constructing the remote Faia health center.
Dr Cooke expressed gratitude to Hon Eoe and his Board Members for recognizing the need to partner with the aviation ministry in serving those in need of basic, accessible, and immediate medical care.
He stated that SAI’s five-year development plan for the province includes committing its first seaplane to increase capacity near or adjacent to the Kapuna Hospital.
SAI plans to start its health patrols by September, following two surveys conducted in the province this year, working closely with health experts in Kapuna.
Hon Eoe believes that the partnership with SAI is timely and will play a crucial role in providing quality and accessible health services in the district.
