Burnet Institute is deeply saddened by the passing of longstanding Patron and close and valued friend of the Institute, Sir Kostas Constantinou OBE, aged 66.
A prominent businessman in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Sir Kostas was an active supporter of Burnet’s work, in particular our Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies project, a Burnet Flagship Initiative aimed at providing life-saving health care for women and their children in PNG.
Burnet Director and CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb AC said Sir Kostas was instrumental in helping to generate support for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, particularly rallying local PNG corporations to provide financial support.
“He was particularly interested in how he could help improve the health of the people of Papua New Guinea, particularly women and children, and was a strong advocate for an improved and strengthened health system,” Professor Crabb said.
Among his many public and private sector appointments, Sir Kostas was Managing Director of Lamana Development Limited PNG, a Director of Oil Search Limited, a former Chair of Air Niugini, and Chairman of Bank of South Pacific (BSP) from 2011 before stepping down from the role in March 2023.
He was also vice chair of the Employers Federation of Papua New Guinea for three decades, and Honorary Consul for Greece in PNG.
“Sir Kostas will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family.” Professor Crabb said.