A Youth With A Mission (YWAM) medical ship being refurbished for a lifesaving voyage to Papua New Guinea (PNG) has received one of five anaesthetic machines that have been saved from landfill by MedEarth.
MedEarth, an environmental protection charity, collects usable medical supplies and equipment destined for landfill and redistributes them through partner charities to areas of need in developing countries. MedEarth has no religious or political affiliation or bias.
YWAM Medical Ships – Australia (YWAM MSA) is a Christian charity that aims to care, connect, serve and build with individuals and communities. YWAM MSA values individuals’ rights to quality of life.
YWAM MSA Managing Director, Ken Mulligan OAM commented: “Papua New Guinea is a nation with many communities that lack basic medical facilities that are readily accessible to larger cities. The MV YWAM PNG is being refitted with on-board facilities offering simple treatment of infection to life changing cataract surgeries.”
Mulligan added, “Thanks to the generous support of MedEarth, we are well on our way to fitting out a surgery on this desperately needed medical ship for the people of PNG.”
MedEarth CEO, Michelle Bootcov commented: “MedEarth is delighted to provide support for such a worthwhile cause. Like us, YWAM MSA is entirely staffed by volunteers who provide this valuable service to those most in need.”
Bootcov added: “Each year a huge amount of usable medical equipment and supplies find their way as solid waste into landfill in Australia. Not only is this an impost on the environment, it is also an intolerable situation when such equipment could be utilized to deliver lifesaving health care.”
YWAM has operated around the globe now for over 30 years delivering healthcare with some of the largest ships of mercy in the world, operating in the Pacific since 1991. The MV YWAM PNG was formerly a passenger ship but is being transformed into a medical ship to provide healthcare, and medical training. The MV YWAM PNG is operated out of Townsville Australia.The inspiration for MedEarth in Australia comes from MedWish International in the United States and its passionate founder Dr. Lee Ponsky. In over 20 years MedWish has recovered more than 1.4 million kg of medical surplus from nearly 70 hospitals. In 2013, as part of their waste reduction program, MedWish shipped 199 containers of life saving supplies and equipment to 90 countries and engaged the help of 38,944 volunteers.