Author: Martha Louis

Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA) says the hospital has acknowledged the pressing issue of bed space shortage and prolonged waiting times for patients seeking emergency care. Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kipas Binga, attributes these challenges to the significant number of vacancies within the hospital, totalling 860 positions. Adding that despite completing 400 of these vacancies, there remain 460 positions to be filled, with 200 vacancies allocated to ANGAU Hospital and another 200 across other districts health facilities. The aged infrastructure, still in use after 16 years, further compounds the strain on resources. Dr. Binga emphasizes the importance of public understanding…

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Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, John Rosso, hails the initiation of the PNG NRL Bid Academy Program in Lae, marking a significant stride in junior development pathways through an Australia-Papua New Guinea partnership. Speaking on the occasion, PNG International Justin Olam emphasized the critical need for an effective academy program in Papua New Guinea before expressing interest in becoming the 18th NRL club. Recognizing this need, Australia stepped in to bridge the gap by introducing the program as part of collaborative efforts between the two nations. Acknowledging the pivotal roles played by PNG Prime Minister Marape, Australian Prime…

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Jotham Yawari, an executive of the National Souths Basketball League, has hailed the recent National Basketball Tournament held in Lae, Morobe Province, as a resounding success. The tournament, which drew teams and spectators from across the nation, showcased an impressive array of talent and sportsmanship, leaving an indelible mark on both the local community and the wider basketball landscape. Throughout the event, standout performances from teams and players captivated audiences, with thrilling game-winning moments and exceptional individual achievements highlighting the competitive spirit of the tournament. Yawari emphasized the significance of these displays, noting their impact on engaging and inspiring basketball…

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The Friends of Madang Provincial Hospital organization is gearing up for its annual fundraising climb, scheduled for October this year. Spearheaded by Vice Chairperson Interim, Ms. Pamela Eugenio, the organization, born out of personal loss experiences within the hospital, is dedicated to proactive support for the community and hospital. Eugenio explains, the focus of this year’s fundraising efforts will be on the Early Detection Cervical Cancer Clinic and the Madang Provincial Hospital (MPH), crucial facilities heavily reliant on donations for operation. “The clinic serves women not only in Madang but also from Morobe and the Highlands region.” Despite financial hurdles,…

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Madang police has reported a significant incident within the last 24 hours involving the death of an armed criminal during a thwarted armed holdup. Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent, Robert Baim, says the attempted armed holdup occurred between 06:15 am to 06:30 am at Madang Airport Road, opposite James Burns and the Yaul Manjuwat DCA Settlement, towards the Sewage Garden. Police Mobile 14 Northern Mobile Group (NMG) on rotational deployment with the Ramu Nickel MCC at Glass House for routine escort duty, encountered the situation at Kubai Junction. Approximately ten armed criminals, wielding homemade guns, bush knives, and wire catapults,…

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The National Parliament Clerk has highlighted the absence of a clear procedural framework for presenting the referendum results for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) in Parliament. A two-day workshop held in Lae aimed to address the aftermath of the Bougainville referendum and its implications for Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament. This workshop was part of the Parliamentary Partnership Agreement between the two bodies. Mr Kala Aufa says, this collaborative effort seeks to bridge the gap between parliamentary bodies regarding the handling of the referendum outcome for AROB. “It marks the second workshop in a series of efforts, with the…

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The Lae City Authority (LCA) has officially assumed control of the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae from the PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF). The transfer of ownership follows the execution of a five-year lease agreement between LCA Chief Executive Officer, Robin Calistus and PNGSF Chief Executive Officer, Albert Varatau in October 2023. Acknowledging the milestone, Member for Lae and Chairman of the Lae City Authority board John Rosso expressed gratitude to Minister for Sports Don Polye for facilitating LCA’s management of the facility. He emphasized the commitment to utilize the stadium for the betterment of Lae residents and Papua New…

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Renowned Papua New Guinean journalist Scott Waide has called for a thorough review of journalism programs taught in universities, asserting that the current curriculum often fails to align with the demands of the industry. Waide emphasized that crucial aspects of modern journalism, such as utilizing platforms like TikTok and managing social media content, are largely overlooked in academic settings. During a weeklong training session attended by 13 journalists from Morobe and the Highlands region, organized by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Media Development Initiative, Waide highlighted the disparity between classroom teachings and real-world practices. He emphasized the need for a curriculum…

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Last Sunday, a spirited march filled the streets of Naweab District in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, as 5,000 devout members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church participated in a campaign aimed at raising awareness for an upcoming evangelical program to be held in the country. Pastor James Dirye, representing the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Morobe Mission, highlighted the significance of Naweab District’s involvement, emphasizing that it joins 40,000 other SDA members across Morobe in launching this pivotal campaign. The campaign, meticulously organized by the church, seeks to inform and engage the wider public about an imminent international evangelical…

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James Timping, the Headmaster of Bubia Primary School, recently disclosed that the school is undergoing preparations to transition into a junior high school, as promised by the Provincial education department. However, this transition is not without its challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure and funding. Timping revealed that the school’s Board of Management has tasked them with spearheading the development of infrastructure necessary for the anticipated junior high school status. To facilitate this, the school has engaged in discussions with parents, resulting in a collective decision to contribute K100 per student towards the construction of a four-in-one building that will…

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