HORIZON Oil has agreed to donate $A300,000 to Australian Doctors International to improve medical outcomes in Papua New Guinea’s Western province.

Image courtesy of ADI.

“We believe it makes good business sense to provide medical and health assistance to communities around Horizon’s exploration sites and, more than that, it is the right thing to do,” Horizon chief executive Brent Emmett said.

“We have the utmost confidence that ADI can bring about real improvements in community health in PNG and we are very pleased to be able to support their efforts.”

ADI will target the North and Middle Fly districts where it has a network of 8 health centres and 14 aid posts in partnership with local health provider DDKHS.

Emmett, who frequently travels to the region, outlined some of the challenges.

“There’s 200,000 people sparsely spread over mountainous jungle terrain, grasslands and wetlands.

“The only way to get around is by boat, plane or foot. Most villages don’t have electricity or running water. Radio is the only form of communication. And it takes a long time for essential supplies to arrive via Port Moresby. Horizon Oil has considerable transportation and logistics capability as part of our operations around Kiunga and we will make this available to ADI where possible.”

ADI aims to deploy volunteer doctors that are skilled in obstetrics and infectious diseases later this year to train local staff.

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