11/08/2026
Australian Government Supports Lutheran Health Services with Medical Supplies
LAE, Papua New Guinea — 11 August 2026
The Australian Government has handed over a 40-foot container of donated medical supplies to Lutheran Health Services (LHS), supporting the Church's frontline healthcare services in Morobe and other parts of Papua New Guinea.
The supplies were officially handed over to LHS following a ceremony attended by ELCPNG leaders, Lutheran Health Services representatives, Australian officials and other invited guests.
The consignment, organised through Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment Northern Region, contains 1,930 cartons of medical supplies, predominantly consumables. Among the items listed are gloves, hospital linen, irrigation syringes, hospital medical supplies, theatre drapes and slide sheets, gowns, masks and sterile wrap.
The supplies were transported to Lae aboard the Royal Australian Navy vessel Reliant. Australian Consul-General in Lae Mr. Brenton Kanowski was accompanied by six Australian Navy personnel at the handover ceremony.
The Australian Consulate-General in Lae said the supplies would directly contribute to LHS facilities throughout Morobe and across the country, supporting frontline health workers who provide care to the communities they serve.
According to LHS National Secretary Mr. Japalis Kaiok, the supplies will particularly support the Church-run rural health facilities, helping strengthen healthcare services delivered to people in rural and remote communities through the Lutheran health network.
The assistance comes at a time when health facilities are facing shortages of essential supplies. Mr. Kanowski said he was aware of the difficulties Lutheran Health Services was experiencing, including shortages and stock-outs, when arrangements were made to provide the medical consumables.
Speaking on behalf of ELCPNG, Assistant Bishop Rev. Lucas Kedabing thanked the Australian Government and people of Australia for their support.
“I want to thank the people of Australia, the Government of Australia, for contributing in the time of need,” Rev. Kedabing said, describing the assistance as timely for Lutheran health facilities, including those serving remote and isolated communities.
ELCPNG Church Secretary Mr. Bernard Kaisom also welcomed the assistance, saying the size of the 40-foot container demonstrated the potential impact of Australia's generosity on vulnerable people across Papua New Guinea.
Mr. Kanowski explained that the supplies originated from donations in Queensland and were brought together through Rotary before being transported to Lae with Australian assistance.
The Australian Navy personnel are in Lae as part of the wider regional mission involving the Reliant, including hydrographic surveying and mapping of the ocean floor to improve maritime safety and navigation in the region.
The Australian Pacific support vessel involved in the wider mission operates extensively throughout the Pacific, spending more than 300 days a year in the region delivering assistance and responding to emergencies such as cyclones.
Mr. Kanowski said the medical supplies were part of Australia's continuing support for church health services in Papua New Guinea.
He described the donation as “a token of goodwill” and expressed hope that it would be “a symbol of more to come” in Australia's continued support for church health services.
The Australian Government has also supported the development of church health services through projects such as the Tent City Clinic in the Bumayong area, which has since become a Level 3 health facility.
Mr. Kanowski further announced a separate Australian Government programme involving 100 new ventilators for hospitals across Papua New Guinea, with Lutheran Health Services also expected to benefit. Each ventilator is valued at approximately K50,000, with training on their use already underway.
The latest assistance reinforces the partnership between Australia and Christian Health Services in Papua New Guinea, providing practical support to health workers and communities where it is needed most.
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Australian Consulate-General, Lae
Lutheran Health Services Papua New Guinea
