ExxonMobil PNG (EMPNG) recently donated GeneXpert testing cartridges to help boost local COVID-19 testing capabilities across Hela Province.
The testing kits will help medical authorities at Tari Hospital test and diagnose COVID-19 cases locally, supporting the Hela Provincial Health Authority’s (HPHA) efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
HPHA Director Corporate Services and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Tipi and Director Curator Services, Dr. Sylvester Tati were on site to receive the donation from EMPNG at the Tari Hospital.
ExxonMobil PNG’s Executive Director – Production, Scott Sandlin said ExxonMobil PNG and the PNG LNG Project remain committed to doing its part to support the PNG government’s COVID- 19 emergency response both at the national level as well on the ground in its area of operation.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, ExxonMobil PNG has supported the Port Moresby General Hospital and health authorities in Hela and Central provinces with much needed medical supplies and equipment.
Last year, EMPNG through the PNG LNG project assisted HPHA with oxygen and hospital beds for the isolation wards together with its local partners on the ground. EMPNG is also continuing to carry out vaccination awareness amongst the communities. Later this year, ExxonMobil PNG will deliver laboratory equipment and vehicles to HPHA as further support for the Covid-19 emergency response operations in the Hela Province.
EMPNG has also donated office equipment and supplies to support operations of the National Covid-19 Control Centre, while PNG LNG staff have assisted the National Department of Health with the distribution of COVID-19 awareness materials as well as food donations to medical facilities and remote-area frontline health workers.