The struggling Madang Provincial Hospital has received new medical equipment and essential supplies to improve patient care thanks to the kind generosity of business houses. The first being the BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) where the bank’s Madang Branch Manager, Mary Koi presented the equipment during a small ceremony. The items included a brand-new ECG machine, an electric suction machine, and an electric hospital bed. The medical equipment is estimated to cost K50,000. Acting CEO of the Madang Provincial Health Authority (PHA), Dr Sammy Thomas, accepted the donation on behalf of the hospital. The donation was specifically made for the…
Author: Martha LOUIS
A human rights lawyer has vowed to fight for justice after a mother and her young daughter were allegedly assaulted and unlawfully detained by employees of a foreign-owned retail business in Madang over a disputed bag of rice. Laken Lepatu Aigilo, the lawyer representing the victims, confirmed that six individuals—including three Chinese nationals and three employees —have been criminally charged with Serious Assault and Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty. The accused made their first appearance at the Madang Committal Court on Monday, with police confirming that investigations have been completed. “This was a case of gross injustice,” Aigilo said. “The mother…
A remote primary school in Morobe Province is facing closure after its only reliable transport route — the Imane Airstrip — was shut down due to safety concerns. According to Head Teacher Mrs. Nosalyn Yalambing Agula of Imane Primary School, SIL Aviation has suspended its flights after pilots flagged serious safety risks. The airstrip lacks enough cone markers needed for safe landings, leaving the community stranded. “SIL says we need 18 cone markers, but we only have three. Without those, pilots can’t land safely. This means no more flights, and no more supplies,” Mrs. Agula explained. For years, Imane Primary…
A bulb onion farming project in the Markham District is helping villagers improve their livelihoods and farming knowledge through a unique collaboration. Led by the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNG UoT), the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), and the Markham Smart Farmers group, the initiative is training locals in bulb onion cultivation — a crop that has high market value and strong potential in rural areas. Local leader and farmer Charles Edward Narjo has been at the forefront of this effort, working closely with development partners to get the project off the ground. “Our aim is simple —…
After evading police for nearly three years, a man wanted for multiple armed robberies in Madang has voluntarily surrendered to the authorities just recently. Ethrel Mathew, also known as Scott Bradley Duh, gave himself up at Jomba Police Station on Thursday, May 22. Originally from Numboku Village in Kubalia, East Sepik Province, the 24-year-old was accompanied by family members and community policing officers from Zone 03 under the Madang Urban Local Level Government (MULLG). Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Robert Baim confirmed the arrest and commended those involved in facilitating the surrender. “Mathew has long been identified as a…
Community advocate Michael Earley is contesting the Ward 2 council seat in the upcoming Ahi Local Level Government (LLG) elections in the Morobe province, with a commitment to drive impactful change and amplify the voices of the people of Ahi. Earley, a resident of Butibam village, was officially nominated on April 25 at 10am at the Ahi LLG council chamber. His nomination was received by Assistant Returning Officer Rhode Ahi and witnessed by his wife. Running under the campaign theme “I Can Help You. Yes, I Can!”, Earley’s platform focuses on key development priorities including education, youth employment, landowner recognition,…
Madang’s main hospital is teetering on the edge of collapse as health workers raise alarm over chronic mismanagement, severe underfunding, and failing infrastructure. Acting Hospital Manager John Mark Jeremiah says the once-functioning referral hospital can no longer deliver safe and reliable services. Essential equipment like X-ray machines and anaesthetic tools are broken, sanitation is poor, and power and water outages are common. “We’re no longer meeting basic healthcare standards,” Jeremiah said. Doctors have reported being cut from payroll and evicted from staff housing due to unpaid rent. Financial records show that K25 million of the hospital’s K30.5 million annual budget…
What was meant to be a simple trip to town turned into a nightmare for a woman and her 13-year-old daughter, after they were allegedly beaten by supermarket employees in an incident that has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The woman was taken to Madang Provincial Hospital’s emergency ward and treated for serious injuries. Her daughter, though not physically harmed, is under police protection while investigations continue. Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Robert Baim said more arrests are expected following the detention of two suspects — David Junior, warehouse supervisor at Yaho Supermarket, and Micah Tandaku, a shop assistant.…
A 30-year-old man from Chuave in Chimbu province is now detained at Kundiawa police for stabbing another man to death for taking his K5. Chimbu Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang confirmed that the incident happened on May 9th at Laiya village, Siane LLG, Chuave District. According to the police report, the deceased, who is identified as Oscar Joseph, was with the suspect when the argument regarding the K5 led to his death. Police officers in Kundiawa were later informed of the incident, visited the crime scene, and apprehended the suspect, who has been charged and detained at the…
A coordinated police operation in Saidor Station, Raikos District in Madang has led to the arrest of five men and the seizure of a large quantity of marijuana destined for West New Britain, police confirmed last weekend. According to police reports, officers in Saidor acted on a tip-off on April 27 and intercepted two suspects at Lagap Beach who were allegedly transporting 14 kilograms of compressed marijuana. The two, identified as Alex Yango, 27, of Wab village, and Kenny Ismael of Gaptamon, were believed to be en route to Kimbe to sell the drugs on the streets. The confiscated marijuana,…