The National Agriculture and Quarantine Authority (NAQIA) Biosecurity team is currently doing awareness on two new diseases that might affect cattle herds in the country. The Viruses are the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) which are both not yet in the Region but are prompting authorities to create awareness whilst maintaining that these diseases do not get into the country. Foot and Mouth Disease is a virus that spreads very quickly amongst cloven-hoofed animals like pigs, cattle and buffalo herds, especially when they are living close to each other. Once contracted, foot and mouth disease can cause severe problems in the animal’s movement and appetite, which directly affects the meat and milk production in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Symptoms are mouth blisters and sores, excess saliva, tongue blisters and sores, resisting movement, hoof blisters and sores, lameness and fever. FMD can be avoided by regular screening of the hoofed animals for symptoms, following precautions, and reporting any symptoms to NAQIA. Lumpy skin disease is a fast-spreading viral disease of cattle and buffalo. LSD is not yet in PNG, but it is a threat to animals in the country. Lumpy Skin Disease or LSD affects cattle and buffalo. Symptoms are Lumps on skin, weight loss, loss of appetite, reduced milk production amongst females, miscarriages among females. NAQIA is monitoring cattle breeding herds within the nation especially in Lae, Ramu and the Numando Cattle farm in Kimbe as well to make sure that cattle do not contract such diseases. Meanwhile, NAQIA Managing Director Joel Alu has assured the people that the FMD and LSD vaccines have been ordered and will be ready to supply in the event of a virus outbreak. NAQIA has learnt its lesson from the ASF outbreak and is now taking extra precautions to prevent another one of such an ordeal. The African Swine Flu outbreak has changed the way people look after pigs and that has helped greatly and is now well into its recovery phase. Alu has also encouraged the people to keep animals in PNG Safe.

A new multi-purpose community hall at the Peter Ryan Memorial Primary School grounds was officially opened on Monday, September 25th, 2023. Member for Nawaeb Hon Theo Pelgen assured the people that the community hall initiative will be rolled out to all other wards and LLGs in Nawaeb District with the aim to empower the people with life skills trainings that are focused to make them more sustainable and self-reliant. “Dispela building em blo helpim ol grassroot man na meri lo kisim save lo helpim komuniti na ol yet wanwan.” (This building is to help grassroots to gain knowledge to help the community and themselves.) “I have decided to implement similar halls within school areas so that the community has easier access to utilize them.” The K50, 000 hall was built this year and is one of the foundations for the people of Nawaeb to SME trainings and programs amongst other sector interventions. Located at ward 18 of the Wain/Erap District, the school is in the last area of the LLG and shares the border with Nabak LLG and Kabwum District at the Precincts of the Saruwaged Range. MP Pelgen also stated that the hall will help to serve as a place to hold meetings, court mediations, peace reconciliations, and even village conferences. “These halls will become SME incubation centers for the people in the convenience of their respective villages.” “We hope to enrich the people in SME activities so that they can take care of their needs instead of relying heavily on Government support all the time.” Meanwhile the Morobe Governor Hon Luther Wenge was pleased with the concept and vowed to work closely with MP Pelgen and the Nawaeb DDA to ensure that the community hall projects are rolled out into the entire Nawaeb District in this term of Government. Governor Wenge presented the local ward councilor with K10, 000 in cash to kick off SME related work to be undertaken in the hall and further committed to building a new 4 in 1 Classroom for the Primary school. He further made a pledge of K5 million to kick off works to develop the Erap to Boana Station with the support of the Morobe Provincial Government.

After a brutal statement of burning five (5) school vehicles on September 18th, two more vehicles were burnt to ash on Wednesday 20th in the University of Natural Resources and Environment, Vudal Campus in Kokopo, ENB. The UNRE Student Representative Council (SRC) failed to carry their petition to the Department of Higher Education Minister Hon. Don Polye. The SRC now are seeking the attention of the school Course Departments and Administration demanding to withdraw students from school. The School Bursar was found and forced to comply; however, this action can only be authorized by the UNRE Vice Chancellor Professor Aisak G Pue. Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Janarius Vosivai confirmed that investigations into the burning vehicles was successful. “We have identified multiple students responsible for burning these vehicles and they will be charged for their reckless behaviour towards school properties.” PPC Vosivai said, “The students of UNRE are being monitor day and night to minimize any more harm to themselves and those around them.” Most students have refused to attend classes while few felt the urgency to complete their school year. The reckless behaviour forced the school to suspend classes for two (2) weeks now, until a final decision on the 2023 school year. PPC Vosivai further made these remarks to the SRC body, “Come to your senses and carry out the purpose of you being at school, stop using the SRC title as a tool when you don’t know how to use the student’s body properly and productively. “The SRC’s irresponsible decisions and behaviour led to school class suspension with low probability of reopening.” “Fellow hard working and self-sponsored students only wanted to complete the school year are now victims.” UNRE is under close surveillance and still awaiting the final decision on whether to complete school year or not.

The Pacific International Hospital has released a public statement to emphasize that the rumors circulating on social media regarding the circumstances of Dei MP, late Honorable Steven Pim’s death at PIH, are far from the truth. The Hospital has stated that it had the right under the cyber security laws to act against persons or groups spreading fabricated allegations against the hospital. “We assure the public that we provided nothing but the best possible emergency response and that recent assumptions are unbecoming at such a time of grief.” The PIH team confirmed with great sadness that the late member was brought to hospital at 8:25pm on Sunday evening, the 24th of September in an unresponsive state and was pronounced dead on arrival. “The hospital cannot share any confidential information but will confirm that his condition upon arrival was beyond any clinical intervention.” “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.” PIH stated that the late Member for Dei Open was not a regular patient of PIH and was only attended to once, in 2019, then discharged with appropriate medical advice for a review. The Pacific International Hospital team would also like to extend their deepest condolences to the family, friends, and constituents of the late Honorable MP Steven Pim, Member for Dei Open. “Late Steven Pim was a dedicated Public servant who served his constituents and the nation with an unwavering commitment.” “Once again our thoughts and our main focus remains with the family and loved ones of the late Steven Pim.” Meanwhile the hospital kindly requested the public to respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time and refrain from spreading untrue and malicious information. “We ask that we all focus on the great service and legacy that the late Steven Pim has left behind.” “May his soul rest in peace.”

On Monday early morning, two convicted prisoners escaped from the Correctional Service (CS) of Papua New Guinea Bomana (PNG). Both escapes have been identified as men from Mekeo and Western Province who were tasked to carry their community service during this time when they snuck out of sight and fled the location. The escapees are classified as low risk prisoners but are still considered to be dangerous. Correctional Service (CS) Commissioner Stephen Pokanis confirmed that they are working with Police and Papua New Guinea Defense Force, investigations are in progress to apprehend the two escapees. The CS PNG Bomana accommodates convicted felons with mandatory maximum sentence and mandatory minimum sentence. These charge sentences separate prisoner into high- and low-level risk prisoners. According to CS Commissioner Pokanis, there is enough official personnel to secure the areas in CS Bomana. However, community services require inmates to move, the specific locations vary the security restriction which is risky but possible for inmates to escape. CS Commissioner Pokanis stressed that there is vital significance of acceptance and trust between prisoners and prison guard officers. “It is important that we help inmates to understand that it is unwise to escape because it only increases their sentence time, and you bring trouble and danger to your contacts or family members.” “It is a must that TRUST is earned between both parties.” “If there was trust between us, issues would be at a bare minimum,” said Mr. Pokanis. Commissioner Pokanis appealed to families and friends of prisoners to reach out and maintain positive mind and body, this can help give some sense of hope for release. “We must try to promote goodness at this critical stage in their life, our negative behaviour can cause inmates feel unwanted increasing their depression and anger towards us all.”

The MC Royal Hotel in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province will host the Highlands Regional Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Program Management Unit (PMU) Monitoring Information System (MIS) Workshop by the DNPM. The Highlands Regional Wash MIS Workshop is backed fully by the Water Aid PNG. The WaSH MIS Workshop Program will help heighten the regional district, provincial administrators and monitoring and evaluating officer to conduct research and surveys with WaSH baseline. This survey will involve classifying the water access, sanitation, and hygiene to reduce the risk of human health or eliminate waterborne deceases. The research will be used to prepare a 5-year District WaSH Plan using the National WaSH MIS. The Wash MIS Workshop program is purposely to monitor, consume and analyse relative forms of Information. This allows for nationwide tracking of data and upgrades WaSH coverage for vital decision making on utilizing and controlling resource allocations at the national and subnational level. The Highlands Regional Wash Workshop will be held at Mc Royal Hotel Mt Hagen, 2nd Monday to 5th Thursday October. The Department of National Planning and Monitoring are reaching out to rural areas to establish clean and purified water systems in rural areas. The areas possess natural sources of water which can easily be dangerous in a variety of natural outcomes. Almost 90% of PNG’s Population reside in urban areas, not only lacking in clean water supply but also other primary services that must be implemented.

The Hutjena Oval in Buka will come alive tomorrow the 26th of September, through to the 28th of September, with the annual 2023 Bougainville Chocolate Festival; a three-day show that is expected to be bigger and better and the largest show since the inaugural festival in 2016. This year’s Chocolate Festival will run under the banner and theme of ‘Innovation & Information Sharing to Empower Farmers. There will be activities and a showcase of innovative ideas, knowledge, and information, through the festival’s demonstrations, competitions, and seminar presentations. ABG Minister for Primary Industries, Geraldine Paul, said the festival is an opportunity to celebrate Bougainville’s cocoa production which is over the last few years, has increased, making Bougainville the biggest producer of cocoa in PNG. The growth in production has stimulated economic opportunities across the coca value chain from household farmers to traders and exporters. “I am pleased that the festival has delivered wider economic benefits for Bougainville at their critical juncture where the ABG is challenged to grow its internal revenue. I commanded the support provided by our key partners for Australia and New Zealand governments in financing the festival.” Minister Paul said the festival supports the Toroama-Nisira Government’s sex-point Strategy, including Economic Growth and Control through the implementation and awareness of the Bougainville Commodities Act 2022 and the Bougainville Cocoa Regulation 2022. Minister Paul announced that the Bougainville Chocolate Festival will be gazette as an annual event in the ABG calendar, with plans to expand the festival into an agriculture fair. More than 5000 farmers across Bougainville will have the opportunity to participate in forums that promote improved industry processes and standards to drive higher quality and quantities of coca. A festival highlight is the chocolate competition where international chocolatiers judge, classify and showcase local Bougainvillean award-winning cocoa beans. The local award-winning beans are then entered into the bi-annual Cocoa of Excellence Awards, the most prestigious global cacao competition that recognizes the work of cacao farmers and celebrates the quality and flavour diversity of cacao produced around the world. Judged by international cocoa and chocolate industry leaders, the most recent 2021 awards honoured one Bougainvillea farmers with the prestigious Gold Standard Award in Paris, demonstrating the quality of Bougainvillea cocoa to the world. The Bougainville Chocolate Festival was launched in 2016 and is part of Australian and New Zealand government support to a range of economic development initiatives in Bougainville, including the recent K2.2 million Bougainville Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority (BACRA) Office & Laboratory for use by the ABG Department of Primary Industries.

All around the country doctors are expecting a rise in heat and water borne-related illnesses. People in Madang are experiencing dry spells as well through-out the town to the North Coast and Bogia as well. This dry season has caused residents and the people of Madang to experience water shortage problems and the doctors predict that water borne diseases will be on the rise. “We are experiencing dry seasons and are expecting a rise in water borne diseases like diarrhea.” That’s from the Director for Public Health at the Madang Provincial Health Authority, Dr Martin Daimen. Dr Daimen encouraged the residents and people of Madang to take care during this time of dry season and use water sources wisely. He advised that it would be better to boil any water for consumption to avoid water borne diseases like Diarrhea, Typhoid, Malaria and Cholera that are caused by unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. The Modilon Hospital has been experiencing constant power and water problems for over the past two years that have been affecting the hospital patients, doctors, and nurses. “Water sources are down, causing the hospitals as well as the residents of Madang to experience low pressure within the town area.” Although the main hospital in the town has enough doctors and drug supplies, it is unfortunate for the district rural areas which are at a shortage of drug supplies. Dr Daimen has assured people in the rural areas that the Public Health Department are working on getting new drug supplies for the rural district clinics. “District rural areas their supplies are down, and we are waiting for our medical drugs supplier in Lae to complete packaging and our logistics team will get to move the supplies to the rural health centers.” Meanwhile Dr Daimen reported that many of the cases at the Modilon Accidents & Emergency Department were Bush-Knife Wounds that were inter-personal violence-related injuries that resulted from violent fights that occurred during the Independence weekend. “We have cases coming in that were violence related injuries that came through the emergency area that were most especially with bush-knife wounds especially during the independence celebrations.”

The Port Moresby General Hospital has reported an increased amount of severely injured patients that range from assault, inter-personal violence and road accidents that occurred over the Independence weekend. PMGH Emergency Physician, Dr. Mangu Kendino confirmed that most of these cases were trauma related incidents with fractures and lacerations which were a result of road traffic accidents that occurred in several parts of the city over the independence weekend. “Unfortunately, multiple motor vehicle accidents happened, and so from the motor vehicle accidents, we saw the fatally injured patients.” Dr. Kendino also mentioned that the less serious cases were infections and complications from diabetes and gastro-intestinal infections like food poisoning and diarrhea. Also, respiratory illnesses like asthma and chronic-obstructive airway disease. Cases with people suffering from allergic reactions from multiple things like pollen, dust and exposure to the environment were also reported. As it is the dry season, with very little rain. According to Dr Kendino, this may lead to heat-related illnesses like dehydration and heat exhaustion. She has gone on to further advise that people should keep clean and stay hydrated. “Drink a lot of water don’t be dehydrated that’s going to compound many other issues especially people with a background illness.” “The dry spell might also give rise to things like water-borne diseases that might be transferred through food handling and preparation, so your hands need to be washed regularly so you don’t catch a gastrointestinal infection like diarrhea, cholera or Typhoid.” She states that the emergency department is not facing any pressing issues at this moment in terms of water, power and infrastructure and has said they were fortunate enough to not experience any black outs during the Independence weekend. This has allowed them to provide level best healthcare to all their patients with an adequate number of hardworking doctors and nurses attending to patients. The hospital equipment is in good condition and there is an adequate supply of drugs and consumables to manage the patients presenting to the ED. “We have an adequate number of staff in the emergency department which not only includes our doctors and nurses but also support staff that are extremely important in the function of the department like our hygiene staff and the security personnel that take care of the facility and help us to manage the patients and manage crowd control.” Meanwhile, Dr. Kendino has sent a general notice out to the public that there are health facilities and clinics located throughout the country that people should seek early treatment from. People are advised to go to urban clinics and health centres to seek help when they initially fall ill. Most of the patient cases that do not meet emergency requirements are referred to primary healthcare clinics and secondary facilities to be assessed and managed. “Hospital Emergency departments are specifically for the provision of emergency cases [that are serious and need specialized care and observation].”

The National Capital District Rugby Union (NCDRU) held the first session of its Tag Rugby Program yesterday at the Murray Barracks Oval with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PNGRFU Sailosi Druma running the first session. Caretaker President Cybele Wari stated that although it was a slow start, they managed to end off the session with 28 participants with children from ages ranging from 7 to 15 years. Out of the 28 participants, seven were female participants. “The Tag Rugby Program runs for an official 4 weekends, and then will resume again, during NCDRU’s City 7s (official Sevens season), which will commence in November.” Wari said that the Tag Rugby Program is being facilitated this year to prepare the NCDRU community for Mini and Junior Rugby in the coming year. “At this stage, it is all about instilling the values of the game especially discipline during non-contact rugby, so that this is engrained and visible in the contact format of the game.” “Children are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by at least one parent.” Wari encouraged interested children that it was important to wear proper sportswear and runners or boots. “We kick off at 7:30am sharp next Sunday, so we encourage all to make it on time, to give the children sufficient time to play.” Meanwhile, the NCDRU Board extended its thanks to the CEO of PNGRU for running the first session this morning and also thanks all the parents for supporting the program and assisting with facilitation. With three more weekends to go, the community hopes they see more children get involved in the Tag Rugby Program. “We also acknowledge our children, parents, and the leadership of the Goldie Barracks Rugby Union Club, who traveled the distance just to take part in the session this morning.”  

Over 2,000 villagers in Bougainville affected by the Mt Bagana eruption, have received one tonne of rice from the Trukai Industries as a kind donation that will help to feed their families and communities. The donation was made through the Bougainville Charity Foundation (BCF) as an initiative to support the organization’s disaster relief program for the villagers. President of BCF, Romulus Masiu, welcomed and commended the rice company for its continued support and generous donation to the people of Bougainville. “Trukai’s timely donation will greatly assist the people from the two Care Centers, which have become overwhelmed with the increase of displaced villagers seeking basic supplies.” “On behalf of BCF, I truly appreciate Trukai’s generosity in donating a tonne of rice to the victims of the volcanic eruption.” “This donation will help feed villagers in Piva, Torokina and Wakunai villages that were affected by the eruption.” CEO of Trukai Industries, Alan Preston has assured the people of Bougainville and PNG that Trukai will remain committed to supporting the people as the company strongly believed in helping communities in PNG that were impacted by natural disasters. “Trukai’s partnership with Bougainville Charity Foundation shows our long-term commitment to assisting the people of Bougainville. It is during these times that Trukai needs to demonstrate its commitment to PNG.” Meanwhile the Trukai Industries have been one of PNG’s iconic household names for over many years and is the leading supplier of rice in PNG for the past 50 years. “It is through partnerships like these that Trukai has forged over the years that make them the people’s rice.” “Trukai proudly has one of the most extensive Corporate and Social Responsibility programs in any company found in the country where we work alongside many organizations that cater to the needs of vulnerable Papua New Guineans that need our support and care.”

The well awaited and expected Koiari Rugby League (KRL) games have been postponed because discourse among team officials in decision making. Team officials have been engaging in verbal abuse towards referee’s decisions during A-Grade games, this act led to inappropriate behaviours which forced the league to halt the games to settle this issue. This in turn forced last weekend games to be postponed to the 30th of this month for both A-Grade and the Under 20’s (U20) knockouts. The KRL will hold a gathering for team officials this Sunday to bring about an understanding on how to conduct themselves when engaging in games as an official. This will be joined by the KRL president Mr. Anthony Abavu, KRL immediate officials and team’s Coaches and staff. KRL Media Officer Soni Nick Nuana stressed the importance of discipline as a general virtue. “There is a way to approach officials when questionable offences are made during the game, but every final decision must be respected, there is no need to misbehave,” said Mr. Nuana. KRL will conduct 1 game per day during weekends for A-Grade. Following game will be between Sogeri Market Flies Vs Lagu Bradas. U20’s Knockouts will begin with 2 games, first game between, “Dona Vinas Vs. AnaWas, and following game 2 between JJ Warriors Vs. Karaka Gabu Storms.” “Winners will play against two bye teams leading to the grand final game.” Mr. Nuana than stressed the main goal of KRL. “We are not just trying to develop players but young boys to be good man, in a supportive and respective environment to pursue their goals in this one life they have.”