The Kikori District Development Authority (KDDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with faith-based Non-Government Organization (NGO) Samaritan Aviation Incorporation (SAI) aimed at improving health access for the hard-to-reach population along the districts delta areas, river systems and water ways. Eoe said that the MoU highlights the importance to provide efficient health care and health services for those in the areas not connected by roads or rural airstrips, but only accessed by SAI’s sea planes. “The partnership is focused on KDDA’s five-year funding commitment of a hundred thousand kina per year to support the aviation ministry to set up its operations within the district, and rollout out is services that include emergency life flights, medicine delivery, provide immediate disaster relief and vaccine outreaches in partnership with hospitals, health centers and clinics within the district.” Dr. Cooke expressed his gratitude to KDDA Chairman, Soroi Eoe and his Board Members in acknowledging the need to partner with the aviation ministry in its mission to serve those in need of medical care. “We have already done two surveys in the province this year and plan to begin our rollout services in Kapuna by September working closely with health experts there to begin with our health patrols.” The MoU was signed between KDDA Chairman and Member for Kikori, Soroi Marepo Eoe and Samaritan Aviation Medical Director Dr. Chris Cooke. This signing was witnessed by SAI’s Advisory Board Member Michelle Hau’ofa and KDDA Board Member and Local Level Government (LLG) President for West Kikori Mr. Buara Esega in Port Moresby on Tuesday, 18th April 2023.