PNG Health Official Dismisses Masalai Claims

​A HEALTH official  has dismissed rumours of a sorcery (Masalai) attack on a man from Upper Bundi, Madang, who was found with strange cuts and bruises to his body after a solo hunting trip at night.
Simbu health authority chief executive officer Dr Francis Wandi said people needed to be careful when spreading misleading stories based on superstition.
He was referring to the case of Peter Petrus, in his early 30s, from the remote Imure village of Upper Bundi, who was transported to Kundiawa General Hospital for medical assistance recently.

According to people from his village, Petrus did not return home after a night out hunting on Dec 28 near Emigari, Bundi.
A village search party the next day found Petrus with knife-like slashes to his lower back and head and the sole of his right foot completely gone.
Petrus could not recall the cause of his injuries which prompted some locals to blame the wounds on sorcery (Masalai).
Dr Wandi said Petrus was one of two emergency cases that were transported to Kundiawa General Hospital from Bundi in neighbouring Madang last week.
He said due to tribal fighting between Kuglkane and Kamanuglu tribes in Gembogl, both cases stayed at Denglagu health centre since last Saturday until they were brought to Kundiawa on Tuesday.
“Both men have been stabilised overnight and are now in for surgery,” Dr Wandi said in a phone interview with The National yesterday.

TheNational/ PNG Health News

Next : CS Ordered To Take Man To Hospital For Mental Health Check
​