Samaritan Seaplanes - Delivering Hope Afloat

Samaritan Aviation, a small volunteer group composed of seaplane pilots, mechanics, and nurses, has been making a critical impact in Papua New Guinea (PNG), one of the most impoverished regions on the planet. PNG faces severe health challenges, including the resurgence of diseases like polio and tuberculosis, frequent cholera outbreaks, and a high incidence of malaria. The average life expectancy is just 65 years, and the population, which has grown fivefold since 1960, predominantly relies on subsistence fishing and farming.

The nation's healthcare system is strained, with a significant portion of the population living in rural areas and speaking over 840 languages. Economic conditions are dire, with a per capita income of just $2,500, and the infant mortality rate in some areas reaching 40%. Educational attainment is low, with many children not progressing beyond the fourth grade. Tribal warfare and crime are rampant, with PNG's crime rate being among the highest globally. Corruption is widespread, and organized crime is increasingly using the country as a conduit for drug smuggling into Australia.

Boston Brand Media looked into the Urban and rural areas alike, including Wewak, the capital of East Sepik province, are plagued by violent gang activity. Gangs employ tactics such as egging car windshields and placing babies in car seats to force drivers to stop, leading to robberies, assaults, carjackings, and kidnappings. They wield homemade weapons like the "silencer," a wire catapult that fires barbed arrows, which have caused numerous injuries and overwhelmed the emergency room at Boram Hospital in Wewak.

Boram Hospital serves as the main healthcare facility for Wewak's 25,000 residents and the 350,000 residents of East Sepik Province, who live along a 700-mile stretch of the Sepik River. The province's 40-odd clinics offer minimal medical care, lacking even basic equipment like X-ray machines. For more advanced treatment, patients had to endure a challenging three-day journey by river and land to reach Wewak, often with poor outcomes.

Samaritan Aviation began its operations in 2010, significantly improving access to advanced medical care for the region's residents. The organization provides crucial medical evacuations and delivers essential supplies to remote villages, bridging the gap in healthcare services and saving countless lives in this challenging environment.

‍Aviator and Clergyman

Mark Palm, the founder of Samaritan Aviation, has a diverse background as an A&P mechanic, pilot, pastor, and graduate of both Bible and aviation technology college programs. His upbringing, influenced by his father's ministry and his grandfather's passion for seaplane flying, instilled in him a strong sense of service and a desire to make a difference in the world. His first exposure to humanitarian work came at age 16 when he volunteered to build houses in Mexico for people living in poverty.

In 1994, Palm visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the first time and witnessed the lack of medical access for river basin dwellers. Recognizing the urgent need for medical transportation in the region, he founded Samaritan Aviation. After years of preparation and fundraising, Palm returned to PNG in 2010 with his family and a disassembled Cessna 206 on amphibious floats, kickstarting the organization's operations.

Since then, Palm and his team of volunteers have flown thousands of medical missions, delivering essential supplies and providing life-saving evacuations to remote communities along the Sepik River. Samaritan Aviation operates on a modest budget, relying on individual and foundation donations, as well as grants from government entities that recognize the value of its services.

Despite the inherent dangers of flying in the region, Samaritan Aviation maintains a strong safety record through rigorous pilot training, psychological evaluations, and well-maintained aircraft. The organization's fleet of used Cessna 206s is chosen for its reliability and capacity to carry essential cargo to remote areas.

Palm emphasizes that working for Samaritan Aviation is not just a job but a calling, requiring dedication and a deep sense of purpose. The organization's commitment to serving the most vulnerable communities in PNG is evident in its tireless efforts to provide critical medical assistance and support, even in the face of challenging conditions.

The 'Revamped' Cessna 206

Samaritan Aviation spares no effort in customizing its fleet of Cessna 206 aircraft to meet the demanding requirements of medical missions in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Each aircraft undergoes extensive modifications, including the installation of amphibious floats, a powerful engine, specialized propellers, and modern avionics systems. These enhancements ensure reliability, efficiency, and safety during flights over remote and challenging terrain.

Medical equipment onboard is carefully selected to provide essential care during patient transports. Despite the basic nature of the equipment, it is functional and well-suited to the task at hand. Each flight typically includes a pilot, a flight nurse, and space for caregivers to accompany patients. The flight crew maintains constant communication with medical personnel on the ground, allowing for seamless coordination and real-time tracking of the aircraft's location.

Fuel logistics pose a challenge, with Samaritan having to import aviation fuel into PNG at considerable expense. However, the organization remains committed to using piston-engine aircraft like the Cessna 206, which offer a balance of fuel efficiency and cargo capacity. While there may be pressure to transition to turboprop aircraft in the future, Palm believes that the Cessna 206 remains the best fit for Samaritan's mission at present.

Beyond patient transport, Samaritan provides comprehensive support services, including ground transportation and follow-up care for patients admitted to hospitals. This holistic approach reflects the organization's dedication to serving the needs of PNG's remote communities and ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Palm remains optimistic about Samaritan's mission and its potential to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need. With a commitment to expanding capacity and addressing critical healthcare gaps, Samaritan continues to demonstrate the importance of humanitarian aviation in providing lifesaving services to underserved populations.

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Source: AIN