Papua New Guinea (PNG) when compared to the rest of the Pacific Region has a health system in crisis. For every 100,000 people in PNG, there is just one dentist to take care of their oral health needs. With 87 percent of the population living in rural and remote areas, the travel time to receive treatment really is “the impossible”. Youth With A Mission Medical Ships - Australia (YWAM MSA) first set sail to Papua New Guinea in 2010. Over the last five years they have provided 180,680 health and training outputs. Their first ship, The MV Pacific Link turned 35 years old last year and was deemed ‘ready for retirement’. YWAM know the importance of the work they are providing to Papua New Guinea so the need for a new ship was imperative!

To raise funds and awareness to obtain this goal of a new ship, YWAM launched their Overcoming the Impossible campaign. On the 13th of July 2014, Henry Schein Halas together with YWAM hosted the first function aboard The MV Ammari to help kick off the campaign. We were very fortunate to have the Global CEO for Henry Schein Inc, Mr Stanley Bergman, on board for the evening. “Corporate social responsibility is about finding the right partners to make it happen. We’re very happy we found YWAM,” said Mr Bergman on the night.

Henry Schein Halas promoted the campaign by providing free lectures on board which gave customers the opportunity to view the new ship for which they were fundraising and hear their amazing story. Overall, we had over 15,000 people tour the ship and over 600 people offer to volunteer and raise over $200,000 to help YWAM!

As a result, we are happy to announce that YWAM have their new ship! Australia’s (YWAM MSA) new medical ship, the MV YWAM PNG, has just completed its maiden voyage to Papua New Guinea - eight weeks of healthcare and training delivery in six different provinces. Henry Schein Cares supported the voyage by providing dental consumables, instruments, and equipment; enabling the team to treat 620 patients living in rural and remote villages. For most patients, it was the first time they had seen a dentist - many had been experiencing pain and discomfort for many years. When the vessel returns to its home port Townsville, next month, the MV YWAM PNG will be fitted with a new dental clinic which will include four brand new dental chairs donated by Henry Schein Halas and Planmeca.

The new ship, will enable YWAM MSA to access more villages for longer lengths of time. This ship has the capability to increase by over 500%. It is estimated that 1.7 million people will have access to dental and medical treatment as well as immunisation and health training.

For more information regarding YWAM, visit their website: www.ywamships.org