OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) have donated a cheque of K300, 000 to the Port Moresby General Hospital to assist with the establishment of the PNG Cancer Treatment Facility.
OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Musje Werror, said that the money was raised by the employees and business partners of OTML through their “shave for cure” fundraising drive last month.
“It is through this contribution that we (OTML) recognize the issue the country has in treating and fighting cancer,” he said.
“We have lost a superintendent and a long serving hospital staff to breast cancer this year.”
“We know the expense, the anxiety and the stress of going overseas for treatment is not easy and that’s why we want the facility to be up and running,” he added.
Port Moresby General Hospital Chairman Mr. Peter Graham, and the hospital CEO Dr. Paki Molumi, were both present to receive the cheque donation.
The dummy cheque presented by OTML Managing Director and CEO Mr. Musje Werror (left) to the hospital’s Chairman Mr. Peter Graham (right)
Mr. Graham thanked OTML for their timely generosity which will indeed help the new cancer ward.
“We are just incredibly grateful to receive a cheque of K300, 000 which will go into setting up the facility for a mammogram to diagnose and treat breast cancer, and also an ultrasound machine for the younger women who come in for check-ups.”
Mr. Graham added that there is no cancer center operating in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to date.
“By the third quarter of next year, we should have a functioning Cancer Treatment Facility in PNG.”
Dr Molumi also made some remarks saying that the money will help the hospital’s cancer center have all the services, so that cancer patients do not have to move around for treatment.
“The cancer center in PNG is currently fragmented with one part of the facility being in Lae and patients do not have the one stop shop service.”
“This facility will have more of a holistic approach, one stop shop, early diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and all services at one place,” Dr Molumi added.
Common cancers in the country are Head-neck cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer which have a 90% survival rate when diagnosed early.