Don't lose golden opportunity

By Dr TANA KIAK

Xiangya, China

 

I REFER to the report “Doctors attacked” (The National, Feb 17).

I am shocked and ashamed of the incident.

As a local medical doctor from Hela studying overseas, it truly saddens me to read of such a barbaric attack on foreign medical volunteers who have, in the last few months, devoted their time, skills, effort and expertise for free to provide valuable medical care to the people of Hela.

Such medical health services had been missing for the last 15 years.

I condemn the hospital security guard for attacking hospital staff.

Before Tari Hospital had Dr Bravy Koensong as CEO and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) volunteers, my mum would call me to ask what drugs to prescribe for patients when she was on-call at the hospital.

We had patients not only from the Hela region but also from Mendi, Hagen, Wabag, Kudjip and even Goroka.

Before I came to Xiangya, China, to further my studies, I had to treat all sorts of problems, ranging from medical to paediatric to gynaecological and obstetrics.

The situation has now improved with the presence of the CEO and MSF volunteers.

We had been crying out for services and now that we have them, please look after them.

Such golden opportunity comes only once.

How can we guarantee the safety of our local doctors and those from overseas?

This is a serious question and the leaders of Hela must think carefully.

We cannot afford to have such “attitude” problems.

As a medical professional from the Hela region, I would like to convey my sincere apology to the MSF team.

I also would like to congratulate them for the job well done so far.

The incident did not really show the true colours of the people of Hela.

I hope this incident will not drive the MSF team away.

The people of Hela are behind the team.

Finally, the culprit must face the full force of the law.

 

Enforce taxi meter ruling

By DAVID KOMBAKO, Port Moresby

 

I REFER to the installation of taxi meters.

I am a regular taxi user and since the ruling came into effect at the beginning of this year, I’ve come to realise that there is a “sinister” practice by certain taxi drivers to conceal their meters with pieces of cloth so that passengers will not be able to see them.

Why are taxi drivers concealing their meters from passengers?

What is the motive?

Why are they questioning the legality of a policy initiated by the duly constituted authority (ICCC) to regulate public transportation?

I asked a couple of drivers about the meters in taxis and I got conflicting replies.

“The meter is an expensive instrument that will keep the small people from using taxis.”

I am not sure if this is true.

 For example, for taxis without meters, I pay K30 from airport to Waigani but only K20 for those with meters.

Obviously something fishy is going on.

Can the ICCC and the National Road Safety Council look into this and enforce the meter policy?

Flush out raskols

By CONCERNED, Mt Hagen

I refer to the letter “Genoka, a refuge for criminals” (The National, Feb 18).

I was recently in Goroka and saw first hand that raskols, after committing a crime, headed straight for Genoka settlement.

Unfortunately, no one went after them, not even the police.

Something must be done to stop criminal activities in our peaceful province.

I call on to the authorities and the Police Commissioner to look seriously into the matter.

Otherwise, we are chasing investors and tourists away.

 Lets us make Eastern Highlands a trouble-free and peaceful province.

Koki crossings dangerous

BY JONATHAN KUIMBE, Port Moresby

I CALL on NCD Governor Powes Parkop to look into building an overhead bridge at Koki.

The two current crossings are very dangerous and, sooner or later, someone will be killed.

 

The truth will prevail

By SHAN-LIN CHEN, Trade Mission of Taiwan representative

 

ON behalf of the government of Taiwan, I am writing in response to an article entitled “Opposition demands action on Taiwan scandal” (The National, Jan 15).

 Taiwan is a democratic country and its independent judiciary is currently conducting a full and thorough investigation into the case mentioned in the article.

My government, therefore, has every confidence that truth and justice will prevail.

As Taiwan’s representative, I will naturally be providing all relevant information to the Government as soon as the final verdict is delivered.

Time to flatten Genoka

By AMBO

 

Goroka is turning into a haven for lawlessness and fast becoming a cowboy town.

Genoka is one such place that accommodates thugs and criminals.

I wonder whether the Goroka administration has the power to barricade Genoka.

 It should give the settlers the ultimatum to leave on their own or they would be forced out.

After that, the settlement should be flattened.

The peace-loving people of Goroka are fed up with these criminals.

 We want to live in peace.

So sad many smart students miss out

By WAIMIN WASIA

 

MANY brilliant students in the country are missing out every year because of the school fee problem.

It is very sad to see thousands of brilliant students, especially from poor families, leaving universities and colleges every year with tears streaming down from their eyes.

Is that how PNG will improve its human resource and move forward?

The Government must subsidise some of the school fees because human resource is vital for the development of this nation.

The Government is not allocating enough money to education, particularly OHE.

As a result, many tertiary students were missing out on HECAS although they met the requirements.

The Government must strive to produce marketable intellectuals instead of sending young talented Papua New Guineans as cheap labour to neighbouring countries.

PNG must be competent with the rest of the world.

Because of its negligence in education, PNG is far behind in world education standard.