In Papua New Guinea’s economically challenged Western Province, the provincial capital of Daru struggles to provide modern medical care to its citizens. Despite the service of dedicated doctors, nurses and medical professionals, cutting edge medical equipment is often in short supply.
To help meet the needs of patients at the Daru General Hospital, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided the hospital with a new ultrasound machine, replacing a no-longer-functioning older unit, and a new haematology analyser that counts patients’ red and white blood cell counts.
The gift of the two machines was recognised in a ceremony by the hospital on 4 June, 2025.
The hospital’s new ultrasound machine will provide 150 scans per month and is expected to reduce the neo-natal death rate by 90%, potentially saving the lives of twenty babies per year.
The haematology analyser provides both platelet counts, and red and white blood cell counts. The hospital will use the machine to conduct 500 monthly blood tests and expects to save up to thirty lives per year.
As part of its overall donation to the hospital, a new x-ray machine will be installed at a future date. Once the new machine is online, it will be able to provide 300 scans per month and is expected to cut deaths due to tuberculosis by two-thirds.
Hospital administrator Joshua Yahe Meraveka said that the new medical equipment emphasised the profound impact these additions will have on patient care.
"Over the years, we have faced challenges in delivering the level of medical care our patients deserve due to a lack of top-quality equipment. These new additions to our hospital will be instrumental in saving lives, offering our patients a renewed chance at survival in situations that previously posed critical risks. For them, this is truly a gift of life."
In presenting the new equipment, Church humanitarian missionary Sister Kimie Dandoy said that "The Church of Jesus Christ is happy to help the hospital fulfil its mission of quality health care. We’re looking forward to working together in the future to continue this hospital’s mission of loving care and service for the people of Daru."
