Steamships partners with MKA to launch the Mobile clinic bus for vaccination
04 June 2021
Steamships (through East West Transport with support from JVPS) has partnered with the Motu Koita Assembly (MKA) to provide a mobile vaccination clinic which will help ensure that the Motu Koita villages have ready access to the vaccine.
The MKA acquired one of the left-over APEC and last month EWT, led by workshop Manager Shane Gibbs and Frank Mayer converted the bus to carry vaccine fridges, a mobile treatment facility and equipment for the health workers in preparation for vaccination. The mobile clinic will allow the people in the Motu Koita villages to get vaccinated without leaving their village.
Chairman of the Motu Koita Assembly Dadi Toka Jr. said that this was an exciting partnership and one of a kind in Papua New Guinea. “It is important to ensure that we give as many people as possible access the vaccines and that we as representatives of our communities help to provide that opportunity. The MKA mobile clinic is a great way to assist the community”.
The launch of the mobile clinic was witnessed by Honorable Justin Tkatchenko, Professor Sir Isi Kevau, MKA Chairman Dadi Toka Jr, His Excellency Phillip Taule, the New Zealand High Commissioner, WHO’s Anna Maalsan, USAID and Australian DFAT representatives and Steamships Corporate Affairs General Manager David Toua, as well as MKA councillors and senior village elders of Pari village.
According to David Toua, “Progress is being made across the country with the vaccine roll-out, with all provinces now actively vaccinating their residents. Its pleasing to be able to now reach more residents of the national capital. Steamships has a long-standing association with the Motu Koita people and we’re delighted to have contributed to the fit-out of this mobile clinic, which will ensure vaccine access for villagers in this area”.