MTS Foundation Charity - Papua New Guinea

Peter Memafu presenting X Ray Machine to Gaubin

Sisters of Charity visiting the sick at Gaubin


GAUBIN HOSPITAL Gaubin Hospital is officially known as the Edwin & Tabitha Tscharke Memorial Hospital and is located on the SE side of Kar Kar Island which is 30 miles north of Madang Township. The Hospital was established by Ed & Tabitha Tscharke, Lutheran Missionaries who came to PNG from South Australia after WW2 in 1947. After spending some time at Finschafen, Ed (affectionately known as Papa Tscharke) was sent to Kar Kar Island to build a hospital. Land was acquired basically because it ws a swamp beside Kurum Village and despite the difficult location, Papa Tscharke harnessed the resources of the Kar Kar people which at the time was less than 5000 and constructed the only hospital on Kar Kar which now has a population of more than 50,000.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS SCHOOL When the hospital was built, Papa Tscharke set about training himself to carry out the work as a doctor. His only experience in medicine was his training during WW2 as a medic. In order for the Tscharkes to provide a health service to the population of Kar Kar, he established a training school for Community Health Workers at Gaubin and students from all over "New Guinea" were trained over a 2 year course. These CHW were trained to undertake health services with minimum equipment and housing in fact at their graduation it was not uncommon for spades, axes, knives to be presented as prizes to prepare the students for the difficult life they would lead to bring about improved health services. A picture shows the graduation in 2003.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS Gaubin has a network of health clinics in a number of areas on Kar Kar and the nearby island of Bagabag. The main centres are Mapor, Wadau and Bagabag (Matio 1 Village) all operated by Lutheran Health Services but in addition to these health clinics their is a Government Health Centre at Miak and aid posts throughout Kar Kar. Regular immunization programs are undertaken by staff of Gaubin, visits to different areas to assist health awareness and most recently a VCT centre was established to provide testing and help to those suffering from HIV & aids related illnesses. The Melanesian Foundation has continued to assist Gaubin by undertaking repairs and maintenance to vehicles and ambulances and recently donated a new vehicle for outreach purposes.
FUTURE PLANS & FUNDING The future of Gaubin depends largely on the Government releasing K3.5m allocated in the 2006/7 Supplemental Budget to enable urgent maintenance, the construction of a new operating theatre and outpatience plus staff and student accommodation to take place at Gaubin and in the outlying areas. All planning has been completed and work can commence as soon as funds are made available. In addition to funds from the National Government, the Bavarian Lutheran Church has allocated some funds to help in the delivery of health services. Melanesian Foundation also obtained an X Ray machine, ultra sound and undertook the rewiring of all wards so new lighting could be made available along with a small emergency generator. The Foundation also undertakes medivacs as required between Kar Kar and Modion Hospital.