ExxonMobil funds health initiative

ExxonMobil Corporation has announced that on behalf of the PNG LNG project a US$ 3.1 million, two year initiative intended to improve maternal health and reduce child mortality rates in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been launched. The program, which began this month, is led by Texas Children’s Hospital and its partner, the Baylor College of Medicine, both based in Houston, Texas, USA.

The program supports the development of specialist doctors to the University of PNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Doctors are providing teaching support with the goal of strengthening the education and training of both current and future healthcare professionals.

Significant progress has been made in the past decade to reduce infant mortality rates in PNG. Those rates, however, remain high when compared with other countries in the region.

Comments on the program

‘This program will enable mothers and children of PNG to benefit from the world class expertise of Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine,’ said Neil Duffin, president of ExxonMobil Development Company. ‘It is our belief that the work done through the program will help ensure improved health for the future generations of the country.’

According to Michael Mizwa, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative at Texas Children’s Hospital, the initiative will continue to build the capacity of the University of PNG School’s medical education and training in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology and public health.

‘Ultimately, our hope is that this program will measurably improve the methods and delivery of maternal and children’s heath services in PNG,’ Mizwa said.

Adapted from a press release by Claira Lloyd.

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