Air Niugini (ANG) and the Rotary Club of Port Moresby have teamed up to provide free uplift services for vital life-saving medical equipment to Lae city, where it will be installed at the Tomodachi International Airport terminal in Nadzab. Two defibrillators, critical medical devices used to restore normal heart rhythms in individuals experiencing cardiac arrests, have been airlifted to Nadzab. These devices can effectively save lives by delivering an electric shock to the heart, correcting abnormal heartbeats. The Rotary Club of Port Moresby acquired this vital equipment and funded first aid training from St. John Ambulance at the costs of K100,000. Mr. Adam Hughes, Director of Community Services at the Rotary Club, explained that the initiative arose from the realization of a significant gap in lifesaving equipment in public spaces, including courthouses and airports. "During my involvement, I learned of lawyers collapsing in courthouses due to cardiac arrests, highlighting the urgent need for defibrillators," Mr. Hughes stated. "In response, our club purchased five defibrillators, which have now been installed in courthouses. Three lives have been saved so far, since this equipment were installed 12 months ago." Following the successful deployment at courthouses, the Rotary Club turned its attention to airports. Mr. Hughes noted, "As a frequent traveler, I noticed the absence of defibrillators in terminal buildings. We reached out to the National Airports Corporation (NAC) management for collaboration, leading to the purchase of six defibrillators, with four already installed at Jacksons airport in Port Moresby and two now to be installed at Nadzab airport in Lae." Mr. Hughes expressed gratitude to Air Niugini for its invaluable support. Although the equipment weighed in at only 7kg, they had to be transported with a lot of care and attention to ensure safety as they contain lithium batteries which are considered dangerous. “Air Niugini’s professional expertise was warranted in handling such cargo in accordance with global protocols and requirements, along with also ensuring they would be transported safely to their intended destination. “In doing so, the airline has contributed to potentially saving lives. Because of their generosity of transporting these devices FOC (Free of Charge) into Lae means the National Airport Corporation (NAC) staff can quickly treat a member of the travelling public in the event of cardiac arrest,” Mr. Hughes added. The defibrillators are fully automated and provide verbal instructions, simplifying their use during critical moments. Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Gary Seddon said access to life-saving tools, such as defibrillators is important not just for passengers but also for airport staff and visitors. He said, "It's a vital step towards enhancing safety measures at the airport and Air Niugini is pleased to support this initiative and commitment to safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Airport." In addition to acquiring the defibrillators, the Rotary Club also funded first aid training for 160 staff members from the National Judicial Staff Services (NJSS) and NAC, ensuring that qualified first aiders are available to manage medical emergencies until professional help arrives. Looking ahead, the Port Moresby Rotary Club plans to expand this lifesaving initiative to other key locations in the country.