Board members and CEO’s at the signing in PNG. Mr Peter Botten CBE (OSF), Ms Alison Larsson (Burnet), Mr Gerea Aopi CBE (OSF), Ms Stephanie Copus-Campbell (OSF), Prof Brendan Crabb AC, Mr Leigh Jasper (Burnet), Mr Michael Ziegelaar (Burnet)

Addressing unacceptably high rates of maternal and child mortality in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is just one of the driving health issues that has fostered Burnet Institute and the Oil Search Foundation’s (OSF) enduring partnership.

Both organisations also share a long-term commitment to improve the health and lives of Papua New Guineans, and the partnership will enable the opportunity to deliver targeted activities where they are most needed.

The Partnership was announced at the home of Burnet Patron, Sir Kostas Constantinou OBE in Port Moresby, who has been an outstanding supporter of Burnet’s work and in particular our flagship Healthy Mother’s, Healthy Babies program based in Kokopo, East New Britain. His association with the Burnet, and his long association as a Board member of OSF’s parent company Oil Search made him an ideal host for the launch of the agreement.

(Image: Professor Brendan Crabb AC and Burnet Patron, Sir Kostas Constantinou OBE. Lynton Crabb Photography)

Burnet Director and CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb AC said the Partnership would enhance both parties’ proud track record of delivering results.

“Together we can be much stronger than the sum of our parts, to the benefit of our PNG partners and the people they serve. This is not a partnership of convenience but a strong partnership of conviction and commitment to the people of Papua New Guinea,“ Professor Crabb said.

“We share a goal to improve the health and lives of Papua New Guineans and have the opportunity to deliver targeted activities where they’re most needed.”

The two development partner organisations see this as a unique opportunity for both parties to contribute their skills to make a sustainable difference.

OSF will contribute its knowledge and expertise on health systems strengthening and service delivery, Provincial Health Authorities, health financing, large-scale program implementation, grant management and monitoring and evaluation.

Burnet will complement these areas and contribute with technical expertise especially in the areas of addressing TB, HIV and AIDS, maternal and child health, and sexual health.

(Image: Ms Stephanie Copus-Campbell and Professor Brendan Crabb AC. Photo by Lynton Crabb Photography)

Executive Director OSF, Ms Copus-Campbell remarked that one key criterion for partnering with the Foundation was a determination to see positive outcomes for the people of PNG no matter what the challenges.

“We are excited about the opportunity to more formally partner with Burnet because like us, they have a long term commitment to PNG and are staffed with people who share our passion for making a difference.”

While the new arrangement will set the platform for working together it does not exclude other partnerships both together or separately with likeminded organisations.

“Both Burnet and OSF remain committed to working with many different partners, which is the basis of effective international development,” Ms Copus-Campbell said.

The partnership agreement was signed in Port Moresby by the CEOs, with Board members from both organisations in attendance.

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