PNG 2022

Mission

PNG 2022 Mission

The origins of the project are based on an observation made by the WHO: measles has risen sharply worldwide in 2019 and the number of deaths has increased by almost 50% since 2016.

In response to this situation, Aidodean decided to mount a mission in 2022 to vaccinate children in hard-to-reach areas. This first mission took place in September and October 2022, among the tribes of the island of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

For 5 weeks, Marine, a nurse and president of the association, Jean-Michel, a doctor, and a local team were able to meet the local people of New Ireland.

The local team was composed of Peter (doctor), Abraham (dentist) and Jack Talvia (his assistant), and Jacinta (nurse). During the crossing, we were joined by other local nurses: Tom and Elisabeth, and care assistants: Zillion, Ignacius and Chris.

Targets and results

The PNG mission was carried out in partnership with the National Department of Health (NDOH) and the New Ireland Province Health Authority (NIPHA). At the time of the memorandum of understanding, the authorities estimated the need for 954 children to be seen and 545 vaccinations to be carried out.

The vaccines and treatments concerned are

PENTA (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b)
M/R Measles and Rubella
Oral polio vaccine (OPV)
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) tuberculosis vaccine
Vitamin A

In the end, 1,046 children were immunised (up 9.6% on estimated needs) and 4,142 procedures were carried out (up 760% on estimates) for 7,650 vaccines inoculated.

The number of children immunised

The number of injections carried out

The number of vaccines injected

Mission report

To find out more about the PNG 2022 mission, read the report.

Read the report

What was the route?

For 5 weeks, the team travelled along the south and south-east coasts of New Ireland. It made numerous stops, notably in Semalu, Buk Buk, Lamassa, and on the islands of Babasse, Feni and Tanga. Given the discrepancy between the estimated need for vaccines and what was actually done, the Aidocean team had to replenish its supplies regularly.

Alexis Baudot from Riddim Production accompanied us on the mission for a few days. He filmed the mission and, under the direction of director Pascale Berlin Salmon, a documentary was released this year for NC 1ère. Thank you to them for highlighting the work of Aidocean.

The video is available for replay:

https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/programme-video/la1ere_nouvelle-caledonie_itineraires/diffusion/4933663-emission-du-mardi-30-mai-2023.html

Théodore de Kerros, a freelance journalist, also accompanied us. Following this collaboration, an article appeared in “Le Figaro” newspaper and a report in the french magazine “Bouts du Monde”. Many thanks to him for his commitment to Aidocean.

https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/avec-les-francais-qui-acheminent-des-vaccins-jusqu-en-papouasie-20221030 https://www.revue-boutsdumonde.com/carnet/piege-exotique-en-papouasie/

What happens after the PNG 2022 mission?

Following the observations made during the five-week mission, the conclusion is unequivocal : the health situation on the ground is very alarming.

In addition to the immunisation mission, Aidocean has received a number of requests from local people:
1/ A second mission will enable us to continue the immunisation mission in places that have not yet been visited and to finalise the pilot mission with the vaccine boosters.
2/ Global warming is creating a crucial shortage of drinking water, forcing local people to use a mixture of fresh and salt water. We want to provide simple solutions and resources adapted to the terrain to improve water supply.
3/ Meet women’s demand for family planning, which will help them to become more independent (contraceptive implants).

À l’automne 2023, Aidocean partira pour la mission PNG 2023 afin de remplir ces objectifs.

Click to follow the PNG 2023 mission

Thank you to those who supported us on this mission

Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to carry out this mission, so we’d like to thank them for their commitment and support. MANY THANKS.