Lae Area Medical Store receives new truck under PATH program

The Area Medical Store [AMS] in Lae has received a brand new four-tonne medical transport truck donation from DFAT-Anna Becerra-Riveroll [AHE] under PNG-Australia Transition to Health [PATH] program.

The vehicle was received by Acting Secretary for National Department of Health, Dr. Osborne Liko in Lae, Morobe Province earlier this week.

This donation comes a year after the Lae’s Area Medical Store was burnt on the 9th of January 2024- A strategic facility which housed critical equipment and medical supplies for 5 provinces all went down in a devastating fire. The warehouse destroyed including existing medical truck.

The new truck will be used to transport medication and health equipment to 188 facilities across five provinces, including Morobe, Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka and Madang.

Dr. Liko while receiving the vehicle thanked the donors for the timely assistance.

He said this vehicle will manage logistic/transfer of the supply chain of medical supplies from Lae Port to AMS.

"As many of you aware, the Lae AMS suffered a devastating fire on January 9th, 2024, resulting in the complete loss of K79 million in damages and significantly disrupted the medical supply chain, affecting health facilities and untimely patient care.

"While this donation from DFAT is an important milestone, there are still critical gaps that needs to be addressed include re-fleeting of AMS.

"Forklifts and other equipment are essential to ensure efficient storage, handling the delivery of medical supplies. We remain committed to seek further support dully restore AMS and improve our supply chain capabilities," Dr. Liko said.