Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, the national petroleum and energy company, today officially opened the brachytherapy treatment service at the ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae.
Kumul Petroleum Managing Director, Wapu Sonk said the company’s focus on restoring cancer treatment services at the ANGAU Memorial Hospital is in line with the company’s mission, which is to use its earnings from petroleum resources to improve and add value to the nation, and support of the cancer treatment program is a large part of the health intervention program.
“Our support is also in line with the government’s MTDP 2030 and the Vision 2050 plans, so we’d like to acknowledge and thank the Marape-Rosso Government; none of this would have been possible without their strong support and endorsement.” Mr Sonk said.
He said that in 2019 the KPHL Board approved support for the cancer treatment program, seeing it was a key health intervention project that would benefit the nation. Kumul Petroleum then sought NEC approval for the K15 million, 3-year program, confirmed with an MOU with NDoH and the Morobe PHA.
“Kumul Petroleum has spent over K20 million on the Cancer Service Unit at the ANGAU Memorial Hospital; these funds went into acquiring equipment and the radiation treatment source. This unit was launched last year in August, whilst we funded the training of eight radiation therapists, employment of an oncologist and, most importantly, the construction of the building that houses the brachytherapy machine.”
Since the opening of the radiotherapy treatment last year in August, 400 patients have received radiation treatment. With brachytherapy, the unit has the capability to provide treatment to five patients per day.
“It has taken over 4 years for us to get to where we are today, and this marks a significant occasion for ANGAU Memorial Hospital and Kumul Petroleum as a company – we are together bringing hope to our people.” Mr Sonk said.
The brachytherapy treatment unit was officially launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Kumul Petroleum Managing Director, Wapu Sonk and Health Minister, Hon. Elias Kapavore.
