The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is delighted to announce a group of general practitioners (GPs) who recently returned from a physically and mentally grueling challenge in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has raised $40 000 towards general practice medical research.
The 11 participants who undertook the exciting odyssey completed a 9 day trek to Conquer Kokoda for a Cause. A member based fundraising activity organised by the RACGP Foundation, Conquer Kokoda for a Cause raised funds for medical research that will ultimately assist GPs in making better decisions about patient health and create a healthier future for all Australians.
RACGP President Dr Liz Marles said as a result of the team’s amazing efforts, the RACGP Foundation has been able to fundraise a significant amount of money towards GP medical research.
“Conquer Kokoda for a Cause is a major accomplishment that undoubtedly required the dedication and commitment of all participants.
“The determination and hard work exhibited to forgo well deserved time off to undertake such a massive personal challenge is highly commendable.
“On behalf of the RACGP, I congratulate every participant on their outstanding achievement in Conquering Kokoda for a Cause,” Dr Marles said.
Dr James Lannigan remained in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for an additional two weeks to assist Dr David Mills, Medical Superintendent for Enga Baptist Health Services, in the development of a hospital located in Kompian, Enga Province – an extremely remote area of PNG. The hospital currently has 38 beds, with the project expanding this number to 70, as well as providing improved facilities for wards, dispensary, and outpatient wing and operation theatres.
Life expectancy is shorter and infant mortality is higher in PNG than most neighbouring Pacific countries. The poor health status in PNG is associated with poverty, but it is also widely recognised that a failure of health service delivery, including doctor shortage, is a major contributor to ill-health.
The RACGP is proud of each of the Conquer Kokoda for a Cause participants for their commitment to raising vital research funds to ensure Australian GPs remain the cornerstone of quality primary healthcare delivery across all Australian communities.
Donations to support this fundraising activity can still be made at https://racgp.gofundraise.com.au/pages/search.
For further information about Conquer Kokoda for a Cause or future RACGP fundraising adventure activities in 2015 visit www.racgp.org.au/foundation.
The following 11 members participated in Conquer Kokoda for a Cause:
- Ray Borcherds, WA
- John Carson, VIC
- Peter Coxhead, Tauranga NZ
- Matt Gardiner, ACT
- James Lannigan, NSW
- Weihong Liu, SA
- Patricia Montanaro, SA
- Michelle Parameswaran, QLD
- Adrian Waldron, NSW
- Sue Williams, ACT
- Judy Evans*, VIC
*RACGP staff member and registered nurse
The Kokoda Trail runs 96 kilometers across the Owen Stanley Range and the track is best known for being the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.