Vunapope St Mary’s Hospital in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, has received a vital boost in its medical capacity with the donation of equipment valued at K97, 618.

The delivery, which included two delivery beds, sterilizers, a surgical lighting system, and an office printer, was facilitated by the We Are One (WAO) Foundation, the charitable arm of Islands Petroleum.

The funds for this contribution were generated through last year’s Color Fun Run, an event that raised a total of K165, 142 for hospital support.

This achievement was bolstered by significant contributions from corporate sponsors, including Agmark Limited with K50, 000, as well as Tropicana Limited and G-Boi Enterprise, who each donated K20, 000.

During a small ceremony at the hospital, WAO Foundation coordinator Nicole Kamara presented the items to hospital board chairman William Lamur, staff, and sponsor representatives.

Ms. Kamara emphasized the foundation’s commitment to improving community welfare throughout Papua New Guinea.

“WAO works to promote unity, health, education, sustainability, community development in PNG by working closely with government authorities, health institutions, corporate partners and the communities.”

“We want to encourage communities to take responsibilities to improve on our lifestyles.”

Looking ahead, the foundation has announced a music festival scheduled for Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026.

The event aims to raise funds specifically for the cervical cancer unit at Port Moresby General Hospital.

Ms. Kamara noted that the foundation intends for this to become a recurring initiative.

“We will make this become an annual event to buy the necessary equipment for the cervical unit and gradually move to other sections within the hospital.”

A similar partnership is currently being discussed for the Rabaul Provincial Hospital, which recently received its own donation of delivery beds, glucometers, glucose strips, a smart TV, and a lawnmower, totaling K67, 524.

Chairman William Lamur expressed his deep gratitude for the support from Islands Petroleum and its partners, calling on the wider business community to get involved.

“I want to encourage other small local businesses to join force to the existing companies who continuously throw support during the colour fun run for the good of the community.”

“The donations will help greatly with our work where the hospital management and board will work in close collaboration with IP to identify the real needs of the hospital.”

Building on this momentum, Islands Petroleum and the WAO Foundation plan to expand the annual Color Fun Run to eight centers this year: Kokopo, Lae, Port Moresby, Kimbe, Kavieng, Madang, Alotau, and Popondetta.

The foundation has set an ambitious fundraising goal of K1 million for the upcoming event.