Author: Paula DAVID

Condom awareness programs in PNG continue to remain a public health concern. Majority of the country’s population live below the poverty line with low literacy levels. Lack of knowledge of condom use and availability is worrisome especially for the sexually active population. Three districts in Central have already begun distribution of condoms for the 2022 National General Elections. According to Central HIV/AIDS Provincial Coordinator Mr Gairo Kapana, out of the 5 districts in the province, Rigo, Abau and Kairuku districts have already received their boxes of condoms to be distributed at the polling areas. “A total of 15 boxes of…

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Florence Matagede from Salamaua in the Huon Gulf District of Morobe and husband Christopher Napoleon from Alotau are in desperate need for financial assistance to go towards their 5 year old daughter’s medical appeal. According to Florence, Joana currently has a swollen lump from what used to be a blood clot that formed above her right eye. “When Joana was born, the village mid-wife who helped deliver Joana accidently dropped her which caused the swelling on her right eye that stayed with her after birth until now, says Florence.” They were advised by doctors from Angau Hospital in Lae to…

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The 20 female students from the PNG University of Technology (PNGUOT) who were caught in a recent raid attack by thefts have been moved to a safer location. According to PNGUOT Vice Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi, the incident happened last Thursday night at the Rainforest Guest House. Dr Renagi said, the 20 female students were accommodated by the institute to stay there because the Institute’s female dormitories were full. “We provided accommodation for the 20 female students at the Rain Forest Guest House because all the female dorms were full. The guest house is near the school staff houses and…

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With the proposed infrastructure plans to NDOH to address some of the issues faced at the Western Highlands Provincial health centres and clinics, the provincial CEO says they are waiting on funds to come in before they commence ground works. Western Highlands PHA CEO Ms Jane Holden says they have sent a K10million proposal to NDOH and are still waiting for a response from them to open up new operating theatres for Mt Hagen General Hospital. Meanwhile, since the start of nominations last week Thursday the 19th of May 2022, there were no major accidents or violence related incidents reported…

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Saturday the 21st of May 2022 saw the first ever World Cultural Diversity Day been celebrated at the Moresby Arts Theatre. National Cultural Commission (NCC) Marketing Manager Mr David Taim said, since the acceptance in 2001 through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNSECO), NCC hosted the country’s first ever World Cultural Diversity Day under the theme: “Celebrating the World’s Cultural Diversity in Unity”. He said, “given the fact that PNG is so culturally diverse, we want to use this day as a platform to promote peace through culture, art through creative business industry, entrepreneurship and eliminate poverty.”…

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The UPNG Student Representative Council held its projects fundraising dinner on Friday night at the Dynasty Seafood Restaurant for its 6 major projects to be carried out later this year. UPNG SRC President Melvin Tinol said, for this year they have embarked on 6 projects. In honour of the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare a monument will be constructed within the campus, along with the 5 other projects as follows: • Research Incentive program • UPNG Journal Publication • Generator for the Medical faculty • Female Dorm Sanitary Bins & • Reserve Water Tanks Tinol acknowledged the sponsors for…

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Through their continued support over the years, Digicel PNG has yet again announced a three-year platinum sponsorship for the PNG Orchids and the PNG Kumuls respectively. Digicel Senior Vice President Lorna McPherson said they are proud to announce a sponsorship worth a little over K7million in the next 3 years as part of their Platinum sponsorship. Digicel PNG has been a proud sponsor for rugby league in PNG for over two decades and they continue to invest in the development of PNG’s local talent and the community nationally and now internationally as well. Ms McPherson said, “our commitment to PNG’s…

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People in Western Highlands Province are being reluctant in getting the Covid-19 vaccine despite the set-up of new 7 testing sites in the province. Western Highlands Provincial PHA CEO Ms Jane Holden said people remain hesitant to get tested or vaccinated along with the booster because of the reduction in the number of reported cases. She said they are doing the best they can to educate the people on the importance of getting vaccinated before another Covid-19 variant hits the country. “We need to keep telling people the truth that without the vaccine, we run the risk of falling victim…

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Although Gordons Clinic here in the Nation’s Capital did not carry out any programs in-line with the World Immunization Week that falls on the 24th-30 April, health staff made sure that their normal immunization programs at the clinic continued. According to Gordons Clinic Officer in Charge for Family Planning Sr Eda Ratu, their normal routine immunization, runs from Monday to Friday according to the review dates. “We get about 100-150 mothers a week who bring in their babies to be vaccinated, which is really good because they are aware of the diseases caused by unvaccinated babies, that’s why, it is…

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Testing and monitoring for Covid-19 is still ongoing for Western Province for the past two weeks now. According to Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) CEO Dr. Niko Wuatai, they have sent two teams from their Daru and Kuinga Hospital to carry out Covid-19 testing. Around the Mauridui area, they tested 5 people last week and results were negative along with tests conducted around the Mabruan area. The Western PHA have integrated a team with YWAM that are currently on the ground carrying out Covid-19 vaccination and the normal routine immunization vaccination for the province. Dr. Wuatai said, “They started 2…

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