As dry conditions continue to grip parts of the country, the National Department of Health (NDoH) is urging the public to take precautions against dehydration, respiratory illnesses and waterborne diseases, warning that prolonged dry weather and dwindling water supplies could pose serious health risks if preventive measures are not followed.Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ken Wai said scientists had warned of an extended dry period that could result in water shortages, dusty conditions and increased health risks for communities."We have this long dry season coming up, and scientists are warning us that there is an El Nino event occurring," Wai said."As water sources begin to dry up, there will be more dust in the atmosphere, which can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia."Wai encouraged parents to ensure children limit outdoor activities in dusty conditions and to consider wearing face masks when necessary to reduce exposure."Children should avoid playing in dusty areas because dust can cause pneumonia," he said."Where possible, wear a mask and stay away from dusty environments."The Health Department also warned that prolonged exposure to hot weather could lead to dehydration, particularly among children, older people, and those working outdoors.Wai advised the public to drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day."If you need to be outside, do so early in the morning or later in the afternoon," he said."Avoid being outdoors under the hot sun during the middle of the day because the risk of dehydration is high."With many communities expected to experience reduced water supplies, Wai urged people to ensure drinking water is safe before consumption."If your normal water source has dried up and you are collecting water elsewhere, make sure you boil it first, allow it to cool and then drink it," he said."Do not drink untreated water because it can lead to diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid fever and other waterborne diseases."He also reminded the public to wash their hands before handling food to help prevent the spread of illness.Wai said the NDoH was preparing for the anticipated health impacts of the dry season but stressed that prevention remained the most effective way to reduce illness."Prevention is better than cure," he said."We are preparing for these conditions, but the public also has an important role to play by protecting themselves from dust, drinking safe water, staying hydrated and practising good hygiene."He further urged communities to take extra care with open fires during the dry season to reduce the risk of bushfires and house fires.The Department of Health is encouraging all Papua New Guineans to remain vigilant throughout the dry season and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of dehydration, respiratory illness or severe diarrhea.

SP PNG Hunters coach Paul Aiton believes his youthful side has what it takes to challenge the Wynnum Manly Seagulls despite another week of injury setbacks ahead of Sunday's Hostplus Cup clash in Brisbane.The Hunters travel to BMD Kougari Oval looking to avenge their Round Two defeat to the Seagulls and improve on a difficult season that has been hampered by injuries and inexperience.Aiton said his side had remained positive despite mounting challenges throughout the year."There's a lot of outside noise, which is unfortunate, but internally we've changed things around a lot," Aiton said."This game is meant to be fun, and we've brought more of that enjoyment back into our training sessions. There's something building within this group."The Hunters have again been forced to reshuffle their line-up, with Joel Gena and Seal Kalo both in doubt through injury, while promising youngster Felix Beki could make his Hostplus Cup debut.Aiton said injuries had provided opportunities for several emerging players this season."We've had a lot of debutants and possibly another one this weekend," he said."Every week we've lost players through injury, but that gives another young player the opportunity to wear the Hunters jersey."The coach pointed to the lack of experience within the squad, revealing that the team's left-edge combination last weekend had fewer than 30 Hostplus Cup games between them."That just shows the inexperience in our side, but we were able to match our opponents in the first half until Sanny was unfortunately sent off."Despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, Aiton expects another tough contest against the Seagulls."They're a very well-coached side and they've got some really big men, but our boys will be ready for the battle."The Hunters will also welcome back Whallan Tau-Loi from suspension, with Aiton describing his return as a significant boost."He's a great player who does so much work for us. He doesn't always get the accolades, but he's a massive part of our team and we're really happy to have him back."Aiton said the final seven rounds of the season remained important, not only for the club but also for players hoping to force their way into the PNG Kumuls squad ahead of the Rugby League World Cup."There's still plenty of football left and it's a chance for players to put their hand up and show what they can do."

SP PNG Hunters rising talent McWin Worinu says every appearance at the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) level has been a valuable learning experience as he continues to establish himself in the club’s senior squad.After making his debut earlier this season, Worinu has now played three matches for the Hunters, describing the journey as both challenging and rewarding following a frustrating period on the sidelines through injury.“The first three games were a little bit tough for me because I'd been out with injuries and was struggling a little,” Worinu said."But ever since I was a kid, I have always had the desire to play. Coming back from injury, I never thought I'd get the opportunity to make my debut this year.”“Everything happened so fast after my first game against the Tweed Seagulls, and now I've played three games.”Worinu admitted the step up from the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup to the QRL has been significant but said he is embracing the challenge.“It is a different level from what we are used to in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. To be here, experiencing new opportunities and learning every week, it's really a blessing for me.”Originally from Mt Hagen in Western Highlands province, Worinu only began his representative rugby league journey in 2023 with Croton Hela Wigmen before earning a call-up to the Hunters’ pre-season squad late last year.“I started playing with the Kroton Hela Wigmen in 2023. Around November last year, I got the call to join the Hunters’ pre-season, and now I am here.”“Making the SP PNG Hunters has long been a personal ambition,” he said.“Playing for the Hunters has always been my dream. I have worked towards it every week through my football and my performances.”“Achieving that goal means a lot, and now I'm looking forward to reaching the next level.”Despite the Hunters enduring a difficult campaign, Worinu remains focused on improving his own game while trusting the coaching staff to guide the team forward.“Obviously, we have been struggling this year, but that’s something for the coaches to work through,” he stated. “For me, I just want to keep learning as much as I can and improve as a player.”Worinu also praised the leadership within the squad, crediting the team’s captain for keeping spirits high during a challenging season.“Our skipper has been a big influence. He is always turning negatives into positives. We look up to him because he keeps motivating us, no matter what is being said from outside the club.”“People do not always see the work we put in every day, from morning until the evening. It has been a tough year, but our skipper is always there encouraging the boys.”Meanwhile, Worinu will miss this weekend’s match after receiving a one-game suspension but remains confident the Hunters can produce a strong performance.“We want the win just as much as everyone else. The boys have prepared well this week, and we are really looking forward to the game.”Although disappointed to miss the clash, Worinu said the suspension was a learning experience.“It is all part of the game. I will learn from it, move on, and keep working hard.”

The PNG Chiefs have revealed that work on the club's official logo is in its final stages, with Chief Executive Officer Lorna McPherson promising supporters a uniquely Papua New Guinean identity when it is unveiled later this year.McPherson said the club had been working closely with local designers to ensure the logo genuinely reflected Papua New Guinea and its people."We have been working with Papua New Guinea to develop the logo, and we do have something that we're nearly ready with," McPherson said."I think it'll be a few months before we reveal it, but believe me, when we do, it'll be very special."McPherson said the design process had involved extensive consultation and debate to create an emblem that the country could proudly identify with."What I can tell you is the design has been designed by Papua New Guineans," she said."It has not been easy to do. There's been a lot of debate, but we've worked with some of our young Papua New Guineans throughout the process."She also acknowledged the contribution of General Manager – Marketing Peggy Maha and her team in shaping the club's visual identity."I'm very proud to have Peggy on our team and to have her experience in marketing helping guide this process," McPherson said.While acknowledging that supporters will inevitably have differing opinions once the logo is unveiled, McPherson said the club had embraced those discussions throughout its journey."Everybody has an opinion, especially in Papua New Guinea," she said with a smile."We had name specialists when we announced the club's name, and we'll probably have logo specialists as well. I accept that."Despite the differing views, McPherson said supporters could expect a logo that authentically represents the nation's culture and identity."I am sure you'll be very proud of it," she said.The official logo is expected to be unveiled in the coming months as the PNG Chiefs continue preparations for their inaugural NRL season in 2028.

The PNG Chiefs have taken another major step towards their inaugural NRL season, announcing the signing of the club's first-ever Papua New Guinean-born players on full-time development contracts.Morea Morea, Finley Glare and Gairo Voro have each signed two-year development deals, marking a historic moment not only for the expansion the club but for rugby league in Papua New Guinea.PNG Chiefs General Manager – Football Michael Chammas described the announcement as one of the most significant moments in the club's history."Today marks a monumental occasion for this club, but an even more significant moment for this country," Chammas said."When I first arrived, we made a commitment that this club would provide a platform for young Papua New Guinean boys and girls to achieve greatness. Today, that promise begins to become reality."Chammas said the signings represented far more than three contracts."This is about three families who have sacrificed so much, three villages that have nurtured these young men, and an entire country that has waited generations to see this opportunity become possible."The trio will join the Chiefs on full-time development contracts as the club prepares for its entry into the NRL in 2028.While not yet members of the club's Top 30 squad, Chammas said each player had a genuine opportunity to earn an upgraded contract through their performances over the next 18 months.He said, "This is not an end point. It's the beginning. They'll train with us full-time, and they'll have every opportunity to prove they belong alongside some of the elite players we've already signed. Nothing is owed to anyone. Everything has to be earned."Chammas said the club remained committed to ensuring the Chiefs reflected Papua New Guinea while maintaining high performance standards."We've made it clear this needs to be a Papua New Guinean team, but selection will always be earned."The General Manager also acknowledged the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League, the SP PNG Hunters, the Kumuls program and the London Broncos for their role in developing the three players."We're standing on the shoulders of people who have worked for years to create these pathways."Chief Executive Officer Lorna McPherson said the announcement represented hope for young people across the country."For me, today isn't just about signing three players. It's about possibilities for Papua New Guinea," McPherson said."It's about every boy and girl across our nation believing that their dreams matter."McPherson said the Chiefs were building more than an NRL club."We're building belief in Papua New Guinea. We're building the belief that we deserve a seat at the table. We're creating a pathway where every child has hope and every child can see a future."Having watched the three players develop through local pathways, McPherson said seeing them become the first locally born players signed by the Chiefs was a proud moment."This is for every person who has worked to grow rugby league in Papua New Guinea. It's never been easy but today shows that the hard work is paying off."The three players are expected to continue their development before joining the Chiefs for their inaugural NRL campaign in 2028, with club officials confident they have the talent to eventually secure full Top 30 contracts.The announcement is another significant milestone as the PNG Chiefs continue assembling their inaugural roster following the signings of established NRL players Jerome Luai, Alex Johnston, Connor Watson and Matty Lees.

Former Australian rugby league star, commentator and Australian rugby league media personality, Matthew Johns has described Papua New Guinea's entry into the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2028 as "long overdue", saying no country in the world has a greater passion for the game.Johns arrived at the Jacksons International Airport this afternoon for an official visit, where he was welcomed by local media before meeting with rugby league stakeholders.Speaking shortly after his arrival, Johns said it was a pleasure to return to Papua New Guinea for the first time in two decades."It's good to be back in PNG. Exciting times," he said.Johns recalled visiting the country 20 years ago with Australia's The Footy Show, describing the trip as one he had never forgotten. He also reflected on Papua New Guinea's long-standing contribution to rugby league, particularly through players who competed in Australia's premier competition.He remembered former Papua New Guinean players Arnold Krewanty and Darrell Bampton, who represented the Newcastle Knights, and noted his family's connection to PNG players through the game.The former New South Wales Origin representative said Papua New Guinea's admission into the NRL was a historic moment for the country and the sport."This country is the only place in the world where rugby league is the national sport," Johns said."No one loves the game more than the people in PNG. I'm just so happy for you guys to have a team. It's long overdue."Johns expressed confidence in the leadership assembling the new franchise, praising incoming coach Willie Peters and those working behind the scenes to establish the club."I know there's plenty of players who want to come here," he said.Although Johns is part-owner of the Gold Coast Titans, he said he was excited to see Papua New Guinea join the NRL competition because of what it would mean for rugby league across the region."Rugby league has never been better than it is at the moment," he said."Everything about the game is booming in the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. It's a great time for PNG to enter the competition, and everyone back home in Australia is really excited."When asked who he would like to see sign with the new PNG franchise, Johns jokingly replied, "Andrew Johns," referring to his younger brother and rugby league Immortal.During his visit, Johns is also expected to meet Prime Minister James Marape.He described the invitation to visit Papua New Guinea as "a great honour" and said he appreciated the opportunity to return.Asked whether he had any concerns about travelling to Papua New Guinea, Johns dismissed them with a smile."I always feel safe. I'm a people person. I'll be fine," he said, before joking, "And I know karate."

A locally owned skincare and wellness business in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, is proving that Papua New Guinea's abundant natural resources can be successfully transformed into high-quality, value-added products while driving economic opportunities for local communities.Founded by Regina Varaosi, 28 Essence Natural Products manufactures handmade skincare and haircare items using locally sourced ingredients. Its product line leverages the natural benefits of virgin coconut oil, turmeric, neem, moringa, cocoa, and noni.Varaosi explained that she established the business to meet a growing demand for affordable, organic skincare tailored specifically to Papua New Guinea's tropical climate."Many skincare and haircare products available in Papua New Guinea are imported, expensive, and not always suitable for our local conditions," Varaosi said. "At the same time, our country is rich in natural resources, yet many of these are sold without any value addition. We wanted to bridge that gap by creating products made from local ingredients that truly benefit our people."The business currently produces a diverse range of items, including herbal oils, natural soaps, hair butters, lip balms, and virgin coconut oil-based skincare treatments.Varaosi’s passion for natural skincare began during her studies in Tropical Agriculture, where she learned about downstream coconut processing and the commercial potential of local medicinal plants. Motivated by common skin conditions affecting people in her community, she began experimenting with herbal formulations using traditional herbs and a virgin coconut oil base. Enthusiastic customer feedback and rising demand eventually inspired her to formally register the business and scale up production.Today, 28 Essence Natural Products boasts a loyal customer base with consistent repeat buyers across Milne Bay, Port Moresby, and several other provinces. The brand has even caught the attention of retailers, distributors, and customers in Australia.Beyond manufacturing, the company actively supports local farmers, suppliers, and women entrepreneurs by sourcing its raw ingredients locally and advocating for value-added processing within rural communities."Our vision is to become a trusted Papua New Guinean brand that transforms our natural resources into high-quality skincare and wellness products while creating employment opportunities and contributing to sustainable economic growth," Varaosi said.To keep pace with its rapid growth, the company plans to construct a dedicated 15-meter by 10-meter production workshop in Alotau. The new facility is designed to optimize production efficiency, elevate product quality, improve storage and packaging, streamline certification processes, and significantly boost overall output capacity.To fully realize these expansion goals, the business is currently seeking strategic support to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities, enhance branding, expand its distribution networks, and increase market access across PNG.Sales representative Kimberly Maraga recently showcased several of the company's signature products—including neem, turmeric, and flaxseed oils, alongside various herbal soaps—at the inaugural PNG SME Week Agritrade Expo at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, which concluded today.Maraga noted that the products are carefully formulated to nourish and hydrate both skin and hair while alleviating common issues like dryness and irritation."Our soaps are crafted using natural ingredients such as turmeric and neem, which are well-known for their healing and cleansing properties," Maraga said. "We've received an immense amount of positive feedback from customers. I use the products myself, and I've personally seen incredible improvements after using both the soaps and the oils."As consumer interest in locally manufactured, natural products continues to surge, 28 Essence Natural Products stands as a prime example of how PNG’s natural resources can sustain viable businesses, improve local livelihoods, and champion homegrown entrepreneurship.The company operates under the inspiring slogan: "Be Clean. Be You."

Communities across Milne Bay Province, particularly those in the province’s remote atoll islands, are facing increasing challenges as drought conditions linked to the current El Niño weather pattern begin to impact the land.The Food Security Program Caretaker for the Milne Bay Provincial Administration’s Division of Agriculture and Livestock Skipa Christopher said the province is still recovering from the impact of a recent severe weather (Tropical Cyclone Maila) event that affected communities throughout the region.“The entire province was affected, but the most impacted areas were the atoll island communities,” he said.“Gardens were destroyed, food sources were lost, houses were damaged, and people’s sustainable livelihoods were significantly affected.”Following the disaster, weather forecasts issued by national weather authorities predicted the onset of an El Niño season, bringing prolonged dry conditions across parts of the country.According to Mr. Christopher, several atoll island communities are already experiencing drought conditions. These include Ware Island, Simsimla Island, Yegum, Yanab and Budibudi.“As we speak, these communities are already facing drought conditions,” he said.In response, the Division of Agriculture and Livestock has intensified its food security efforts to help affected communities maintain food production during the dry season.As a government agency, the division operates a food crop seed garden at its resource centre, where planting materials are multiplied and prepared for distribution. The centre currently maintains climate-resilient crop varieties recommended by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).These crops include cassava, taro, corn, sweet potatoes (Kaukau) and other food varieties that have been selected for their ability to withstand prolonged dry periods, resist pests and diseases, tolerate changing weather conditions and mature early.“We have established a total of 38 crop varieties,” he said. “Many of these are climate-resilient and suitable for communities facing drought conditions.”The division has already begun distributing planting materials to some affected communities, including Yegum and Yanab.Additional supplies are expected to be transported to other drought-affected areas once logistical arrangements are finalised with local community leaders.Beyond supplying planting materials, the division is also conducting follow-up visits and training programs to assist communities in establishing their own seed gardens.The initiative aims to ensure that residents of the atoll islands have reliable access to planting materials within their communities, strengthening local food security and improving resilience to future climate-related challenges.Provincial authorities continue to monitor the situation as El Niño conditions develop, with ongoing support planned for vulnerable communities across Milne Bay Province.

The National Department of Health will roll out HIV self-testing kits across four (4) provinces as part of efforts to reach more people and increase early diagnosis of HIV, according to HIV/STI Program Manager Dr. Nano Gideon.Dr. Gideon said the self-testing kits will initially be introduced in the National Capital District, Morobe Province, Eastern Highlands Province, and Western Highlands Province.The rollout follows a successful pilot program in NCD, where self-testing provides a more accessible and less invasive option for individuals seeking to know their HIV status."There are no pain and no blood drawn," Dr. Gideon said."A person can simply do a swab of the buccal mucosa and perform the test within a safe and private environment and get the results after 20 minutes."He said the initiative aligns with the National STI and HIV Strategy 2024–2028, which aims to expand HIV testing services and reach populations that have traditionally been difficult to access.Dr. Gideon said, "We want to reach the unreached in a safe space. You cannot treat unless you test. HIV is diagnosed through testing, so testing is very important."According to Dr. Gideon, Papua New Guinea has approximately 500 HIV testing sites operating across the country's 22 provinces.In 2024, more than 281,000 people were tested for HIV. However, he said significant gaps remain among key populations considered at higher risk of infection.Traditionally, HIV testing has relied on blood samples collected by trained health workers, a process that can create barriers for some individuals."Drawing blood has been a challenge," he said. "This new approach allows people to access a test kit, perform the test themselves and know their status."Individuals who receive a reactive result will be encouraged to visit a health facility for confirmatory testing and further medical support.Dr. Gideon said the program would complement existing facility-based services while expanding testing opportunities within communities."We will sustain health facility-based interventions, but we are moving into communities to link and reach the unreached so that women, girls and others who may be at risk are better served," he said.The initiative is being supported by development partners, including Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as part of broader efforts to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment services in Papua New Guinea.

Preparations to upgrade Port Moresby city ahead of the PNG Chief's 2028 entry into the NRL could cost up to K1 billion.According to the National Capital District (NCD) City Manager, Mr. Ravu Frank, detailed scoping work is still being undertaken by engineers, and that final cost estimates are yet to be confirmed."I won't give the exact figures at this stage, but it could be somewhere between K500 million and K1 billion," he said.Frank said funding discussions would involve the NCD Governor, the NCDC board, and the National Government."The Governor and the board will be looking for funding, and the Prime Minister has already indicated support," he said.Further details on project funding and implementation are expected to be revealed once engineering assessments are completed.

NCDC City Manager Ravu Frank has identified the proposed Level 5 Hospital at Gerehu as one of his top priorities following his reappointment.Mr. Frank described the project as a major government initiative that could significantly improve healthcare services in NCD."One of the biggest projects that the government has been pushing for is the Level 5 Hospital at Gerehu," he said.He said there was a clear need for the hospital, citing ongoing challenges facing the health sector.He intends to work closely with key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister's Office, the Department of Health and the Department of Works, to help move the project forward."I see this project as a game changer to improve the health of our people," Frank said.He added that a healthy population is critical for economic growth and national development."A better economy requires a healthy workforce that can continue contributing to development across all sectors," he said.

The National Department of Health (NDoH) has launched a nationwide rollout of HIV self-testing kits in a major effort to expand access to testing and strengthen the country's response to HIV.The launch was announced by Health Secretary Pascoe Kase following the arrival of the first shipment of 26,000 HIV self-screening kits. The kits form part of a total procurement of 52,000 self-testing kits that will be distributed throughout the country this year.The initiative is being implemented through a partnership involving the National Department of Health, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UNAIDS, UNFPA, the United Nations and community-based organisations working in HIV prevention and care.According to Mr. Kase, the kits are expected to contribute significantly to Papua New Guinea's HIV testing targets by reaching people who may not otherwise access conventional health services.He said, “Papua New Guinea continues to face one of the highest HIV burdens in the Pacific, with an estimated 120,000 people living with HIV and approximately 11,000 new infections recorded each year. Health authorities say many people remain unaware of their HIV status, limiting their access to treatment and prevention services.”The self-testing kits are designed to provide a confidential and convenient option for people to know about their HIV status.“The approach is particularly important in rural and remote communities where distance, stigma and limited access to healthcare services continue to pose challenges,” said Kase.The national rollout follows a pilot programme conducted in the National Capital District in 2024. During the pilot, 742 people accessed HIV self-screening services, with more than half reporting they had never previously undergone an HIV test. Eleven people who received positive results were successfully linked to treatment services.Speaking at the launch, Mr. Kase described the rollout as a significant milestone in Papua New Guinea's HIV response.He said the programme would help reach first-time testers, people living in remote communities, and others who face barriers to accessing traditional testing services.Mr. Kase also stressed that self-testing should not replace existing health services but should be supported by strong referral systems to ensure people receive confirmatory testing, treatment, and prevention services where necessary.DFAT First Assistant Secretary Dr Ramez Alhazzaa said Australia was proud to support innovative approaches that bring health services closer to communities and improve access to life-saving treatment.Meanwhile, UNFPA Country Representative Dr Saira Shameem said HIV self-screening would give individuals greater choice and control in managing their health, particularly young people, women and vulnerable populations who face barriers to accessing healthcare.Furthermore, United Nations Resident Coordinator Shalini Bahuguna said expanding access to HIV testing was both a public health priority and a matter of equity and human rights.The HIV self-testing kits will be distributed through selected community organisations and trained community-based providers, including the Key Population Advocacy Consortium and its outreach networks.Health officials say the programme marks an important step towards increasing HIV testing coverage, reducing stigma and ensuring more Papua New Guineans can access treatment and prevention services.Members of the public seeking information on HIV self-screening, counselling or referral services can contact the National Response Centre on 7309 6477.