In a significant collaborative effort, eleven medical doctors from the United States (US) Army have integrated with local medical professionals at Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea (PNG), providing essential medical services since last Monday. Their mission is set to continue until Thursday, April 18.
US Ambassador Ann Marie Yatishock, during her visit to the hospital on Thursday, commended the ongoing partnership facilitated by the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed last year. She highlighted that this deployment marks the second batch of US medical personnel to join forces with their Papua New Guinean counterparts. The initial group, comprising ten members, arrived in December 2023 for a ten-day stint. Yatishock reported that during their tenure, the team conducted approximately a hundred medical interventions, including seventeen surgeries. Papua New Guinea's Oral Health Crisis Escalates, Urgent Action Needed, Says PMGH Dental Officer3/24/2024
In a stark warning, Dr. Kalen Karapen, dental officer at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), has raised concerns over the "alarming" surge in oral diseases across Papua New Guinea, attributing the trend to unhealthy dietary choices.
Speaking at the World Oral Health Day commemoration last week, Dr. Karapen urged the public to take heed and reduce their consumption of highly processed foods and sugary drinks, which are known contributors to oral health issues. Dr. Karapen revealed troubling statistics from 2023, indicating a significant rise in oral cancer cases, ranging from 120 to 130 at PMGH's dental clinic services alone. She emphasized that these figures only represent a portion of the total cases, as other clinics also handle oral cancer cases, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Papua New Guinea Government Urged to Prioritize Rural Health Services Amidst Dire Conditions3/24/2024
In a plea for urgent attention, health worker Titus Yabua from Dotomona in Western Papua New Guinea has called upon the government to address the dire state of rural aid posts and hospitals suffering from severe shortages in medical services.
Yabua emphasized the critical need for improved infrastructure, citing the lack of proper roads that force reliance on costly helicopter services for patient evacuations to hospitals. He lamented that many patients succumb to their conditions before receiving necessary assistance due to these challenges. In a significant move towards women's health, a newly established cervical cancer screening clinic, Stellamaris, has been inaugurated in Kavieng town, New Ireland Province. The clinic, officially opened on March 1, aims to encourage women in the region to undergo screenings and tests for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. The opening ceremony, attended by key figures including New Ireland Provincial Hospital CEO Dr. Stennard Hiashiri, Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr. Paula Zzferio, Acting Provincial Administrator Richard Andia, and Provincial Executive Council (PEC) Chairlady for Health Misbil Nelson, emphasized the importance of proactive health measures. Umba, Menyamya District - A groundbreaking moment unfolded in Umba, Morobe, as the doors of the newly established Community Health Post (CHP) swung open, signaling the inauguration of the 10th healthcare facility supported by Australia in the Morobe region. The latest addition, achieved under the ambit of the Health Services Sector Development Program (HSSDP), is set to serve the healthcare needs of over 10,000 residents in the remote and challenging landscape of Umba. A substantial investment totaling PGK5.1 million has been injected into the Umba CHP, strategically designed to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by the local community. Notably, pregnant mothers stand to gain the most, as the facility aims to eliminate the hardships of long journeys and bumpy rides previously required to access essential health services. The Umba CHP is now fully equipped to offer an array of maternal and child health services, including antenatal care, supervised birth deliveries, well-baby clinics, and treatment for minor wounds and illnesses. In a momentous stride toward enhancing healthcare services, Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) in PNG celebrated the official commissioning of its Kidney Dialysis Centre on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. This significant achievement is a testament to PMGH's unwavering commitment to specialized healthcare. The realization of the Kidney Dialysis Centre was made possible through the generous funding of K10 million by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in 2022. Speaking on behalf of the NFA, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Jelta Wong, commended the government's proactive stance in advancing healthcare. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape applauded Health Minister Dr. Lino Tom for his steadfast dedication to realizing the establishment of the Papua New Guinea National Cancer Centre (PNGNCC). Since 2022, the National Government has allocated a total of K105 million in funding for the PNGNCC. The center is poised to commence operations in 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence. The allocated funds encompass K50 million earmarked for the third phase of construction, K38 million for cancer equipment, and K17 million allocated for brachytherapy (internal radiation treatment). PNG's ANGAU General Hospital Secures License for Radioactive Material Transport for Cancer Treatment1/19/2024
Papua New Guinea's ANGAU General Hospital in Lae achieved a significant milestone last month as it received a license from the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (Nisit) to transport two cobalt-60 radioactive sources. These sources are designated for use in cancer treatment at the hospital's state-of-the-art radiotherapy facility.
The Radiation Safety and Control division, operating under Nisit, played a pivotal role in ensuring that all safety requirements for the transportation of radioactive materials were meticulously adhered to throughout the entire transportation process. Key safety considerations included the provision of appropriate transport shielding for the Cobalt-60 source, the qualification and competence of the driver responsible for transportation, engagement of a relevant authority to provide security during material movement, prominently displaying radiation warning signs on the transport to alert other road users, and ensuring the highly secure storage of the radioactive source at the facility. Papua New Guinea Health and HIV/AIDS Minister, Dr. Lino Tom, made a one-day official visit to the provincial capital of Western Province, Wabag, today. The second-term Wabag Open MP arrived in Daru, where his visit coincided with the work dedication prayer program for the Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) staff for the 2024 working year.
During his visit, Minister Lino, who also serves as the People's Party parliamentary leader, took the opportunity to present a substantial amount of K15 million to the WPHA for Health Infrastructure Upgrade Programs. In a formal complaint lodged with the provincial administration, doctors and nurses at the Madang Provincial Hospital have raised alarm over the inadequate electricity and water supply, adversely impacting their ability to deliver essential healthcare services.
As members of the Madang Health Authority (MPHA), the medical staff, including doctors and nurses, brought their grievances to the attention of Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa. They emphasized the urgent need for a reliable and consistent power and water supply, along with essential lifesaving resources, to ensure proper health services for patients. |
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