Swire Shipping donate chairs to Madang Hospital

Swire Shipping in Madang has donated a set of chairs to the TB Clinic at the Madang Provincial Hospital on Wednesday.

Manager of Madang Agency, Oscar Atolik, said the donation was part of the company's responsibility of 'giving back to the community where we operate'.

Swire is an old shipping company that has been operating in the Pacific for over 150 years and always gives back to the communities where it has established operations.

He said that as a planned activity leading up to the country's 50th Independence Anniversary, all agencies nationwide are giving donations.

"For Madang, we realized the need for chairs at the TB clinic, therefore; we are giving out these. We have decided to give to the hospital after realizing that the TB ward was lacking proper chairs for patients to sit on whilst waiting to be served.

"Next up is the blood donation that we have organized for a voluntary donation by staff to the blood bank at the provincial hospital," Mr Atolik said.

Meanwhile, the hospital's executive manager, Jeremiah Johnmark, said the Madang Provincial Hospital in recent weeks and months has been benefiting very much from donations by business houses and individuals around Madang Town.

"BSP, Brian Bell, Mineral Resources Authority, Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited, and other stakeholders have come onboard with donations recently, and on behalf of the hospital and the Madang Provincial Health Authority, we are very appreciative with all the efforts," Mr Johnmark said.

He added that with Swire Shipping now coming onboard, Madang PHA and the hospital management are very thankful. All donations have made it possible for us to provide the necessary quality health care as part of our obligation to the community.

Mr Johnmark said Swire's donation of chairs was very timely, especially at this time when most of the TB patients have to sit outside on the grass or stand under the sun whilst awaiting treatment.

The TB clinic has a single bench that can sit only ten patients at one time, and the chairs are of great help.

Mr Johnmark, meanwhile, also welcomed the decision by Swire staff to donate blood to the hospital's blood bank, stating blood is life, and their willingness to donate is very much welcomed and appreciated.