ILLUMINATING HEALTH

Light for the people delivering care in the dark.

PNG is a punishing environment to deliver consistent medical care. Small communities spread across huge distances, limited health infrastructure, and too few health workers are the reality — and with only around 13% of the population on mains power, something as simple as light poses a real risk for health workers and patients alike.

THE CHALLENGE

Manus has one hospital and two urban health clinics for an estimated population of 72,000, spread across 600kms of sea. For the 80–90% of people living in remote and rural areas, aid posts are often the only source of care in an emergency — and many are closed due to staff shortages. That puts more pressure on health workers at the facilities that remain open, who travel further, and more often at night, without light for the journey or for treating patients.

OUR OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to support the Manus Provincial Health Authority (MPHA) achieve their goal of quality healthcare services for the Manus people — enhancing healthcare delivery and uplifting the wellbeing of entire rural communities, where 80 to 90% of people live.

THE PROGRAMME

In 2024, Wantaim PNG partnered with SolarBuddy, an Australian charity, and was invited to be the first recipient of the Student Buddy Kit — a full kit designed for health workers, including a handheld torch, head torches, a solar panel and a recharge station. The kit does more than light the way — the recharge unit also keeps mobile phones charged, letting health workers coordinate patient referrals with distant health centres or the provincial hospital.

THE IMPACT

As at June 2026

  • 66 health workers reached
  • Across 7 of Manus Province’s 12 Local Level Government areas
  • Across 46 Aid Posts and Health Centres
  • 66 solar panels and recharge units delivered
  • 66 LED torches delivered
  • 132 rechargeable head torches delivered

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“…easy when I am moving about treating patients…” “…when mothers give birth during the night, I use the light.”

THE GOAL

A Student Buddy Kit for every health worker across every Aid Post and Health Centre in Manus – all 108 of them. On track to reach all 108 by June 2027.