Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is a worldwide Christian movement operating in more than 1,000 locations in more than 180 countries. 1300SMILES Dentists are proud to support YWAM with supplies and equipment for use on YWAM medical ships.

Recently the YWAM teams visited 13 villages in Marobe Province in Papua New Guinea. They have five clinics operating simultaneously: dentistry, optometry, primary health care, ophthalmology and the laboratory.

Some highlights from this venture are:

• 49 people have regained sight after cataract/pterygium surgery.
• 950 immunisations were administered in one village in one day!
• 50 dental patients have been treated every day.

The Primary Health Care team have been working in collaboration with the provincial health team who have asked for help in rolling out the measles and rubella vaccine.

The Laboratory team have focused on testing for Tuberculosis and have been working in partnership with Morobe Station Health Centre. The health centre has TB treatment, however, they need to have a confirmed diagnosis before they can administer medication. The closest lab is Lae Hospital where it can take more than 3 months for the results to return to the health centre, and by then the patient has often died. The YWAM Laboratory team is able to collect samples and provide a diagnosis in less than 24 hours - right in the village.

Would you like to help? 1300SMILES Dentists can make sure any donations reach people who will really benefit. Give us a call on 1300 764 537 if you would like more information.