Burnet's Pele Melepia and Hadlee Supsup accept a cheque from Islands Petroleum General Manager, Paul Bluett and Finance Manager, Rodney Luana. (Image Martin Maden)

Burnet Institute’s Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies welcomes Islands Petroleum as the latest organisation to take a lead in supporting women’s and children’s health in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Islands Petroleum Managing Director Mr Oliver Bluett in announcing their PNGK10,000 contribution, said the company was delighted to support the research program, which is designed to reduce the numbers of women and children who die in PNG as a direct result of childbirth.

“We’ve heard a lot about the great work that Burnet Institute and our Provincial Health Department are doing to improve the health of women and children in East New Britain and we were very keen to provide philanthropic support to the program,” Mr Bluett said.

“All too often we hear about local women and their babies dying during childbirth and in most cases these deaths can be prevented with the right treatment and timely access to quality health care.

“We have to understand where to apply the most effective interventions and funding though, and that requires research.”

Burnet Institute Director and CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb AC in thanking Islands Petroleum for their contribution, said it was encouraging to see more and more organisations in PNG supporting the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies program and playing a role in improving the health of their own communities.

“I would encourage more organisations to follow the lead of Islands Petroleum and others including Principal Supporter, Bank South Pacific and back the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies program and help provide a healthier future for the women and children in PNG,” Professor Crabb said.

Find out more about Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.