Digicel PNG Foundation announced its continued partnership with the St John Ambulance at the MoA signing ceremony on 21 September 2022 at the Digicel Headquarters.
“Health is one of the key priority areas in our work and over the years we have partnered with NGO’s around the country who are providing life-saving services to some of our most vulnerable people who would otherwise have no access. This year we are proud to partner with St John’s to provide funding assistance to continue their expansion throughout PNG,” Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian stated.
Digicel Foundation began supporting St John’s in 2020 when it funded two ambulances and paramedics training for its operations in Simbu and Central Provinces respectively.
Apart from the contributions of Digicel PNG Foundation, the Digicel business has been a committed supporter of St John’s Ambulance from the initial support it gave in 2015 to supply a toll free emergency hotline as well as PABX and mobile services.
Colin Stone, CEO for Digicel PNG who was present at the event stated,
“Each year Digicel contributes over 250 000 PGK in value with over K1 million already delivered to support the services of St Johns. This partnership with the Foundation builds on the support that has already been given by the Company and we look forward to St Johns increasing their services across the country.”
Digicel PNG Foundation will be funding St John’s with an additional K300 000 bringing its total investment up to K800 000. This support will allow for an additional
ambulance and the training of six paramedic staff to continue its life saving work in rural PNG.
“An ambulance is just a vehicle, but combining an ambulance with coordination makes it an ambulance service that can save lives and brings confidence to communities,” St John Ambulance CEO, Matt Canon commented. He further stated that a partnership as such helps the ambulance service reach rural and remote communities through the national government, provincial health authorities and district development authorities.
“Reaching the patient quickly, efficiently, and reliably requires reliable communication and coordination systems. Coordinating ambulances nationally is possible with Digicel because of their broad national reach in all 22 provinces of PNG.” Mr Canon added.
To date Digicel PNG has invested over K162million into health and education projects in all the 89 districts of PNG as part of its mission to ensure that no one gets left behind.