For those of you who have been following the saga of my kids and their cucumber garden, I'm happy to report that they're growing nice and green, thanks to all the recent rain in Port Moresby.
Pictured is my two-year-old son Keith happily showing off his pride and joy as well as a close-up of the actual patch.
From The National,
THE influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu has entered
The Health Department yesterday announced that tests had confirmed one case of swine flu from the 16 samples sent to the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in
Health Department secretary Dr Clement Malau called a media conference in
Details of the person including identity, gender, nationality and exact location are being withheld as authorities try to locate the person and carry out further investigations.
Dr Malau did say that the person had recently travelled overseas and developed influenza-like symptoms.
He said further investigations were being conducted by his department, and stressed that there was no need for the public to panic.
The reporting of PNG’s first swine flu case comes a week after the World Health Organisation declared it a full-blown worldwide pandemic – the first in 41 years.
A member of the influenza task force surveillance team told The National last night that the infected person had flown into PNG from
He did not give details of the aircraft, or what airline the infected person travelled in, or from which city in
“We will find out the flight the person came in and contact the airline for the passenger manifest. We would like to identify the passengers who sat at least two rows to the front and back of this person,” he said.
As of last night, the team was trying to contact the infected person, and seek details of people the person would have come in contact with.
He confirmed that the person was a resident of
Since the person developed the influenza-like illness and went in for testing, the person had been under “in-house quarantine”. This means that the person was told to stay at home and avoid contact with anyone.
“The contact tracing effort is a massive exercise and is under way right now,” he said.
Dr Malau said in his statement that further investigations would be conducted by NDOH as every precaution was being taken to follow up close contacts of the person, including family members, to determine if they had contacted the illness, in preparation for the seven-day quarantine period.
Dr Malau stressed that there should be no panic, adding that personal hygiene remained vital in the fight against swine flu.
“All Papua New Guineans can do their bit by following simple hygiene procedures, such as regular hand washing with soap and water, covering their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and staying home if they are sick,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Health Department yesterday reported that three more people had been listed as possible infections, raising the number of suspected cases to 19.
WHO PNG head of delegation, Dr Eigil Sorensen, was present yesterday to officially receive the announcement from Mr Malau and commended the national efforts for ensuring a workable health system was in place to detect the suspected cases previously.
He said the confirmation of PNG’s first case was “in line with expectations” given the situation in neighbouring
Ilya Gridneff of AAP
June 18, 2009 - 4:09PM
An Australian-based environmental company has paid $1.2 million to develop carbon trading projects in
South Australian-based Carbon Planet, with offices across
An Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) document obtained by AAP shows Carbon Planet's financial statement to the end of June 2008 reporting a $A1.2 million payment for development of carbon trading in PNG.
Carbon Planet chairman Jim Johnson refused to comment when asked by AAP about the funding in PNG.
"I've got nothing to talk about," he said.
"I am really sick of you people casting aspersions on my company.
"No payment has been made to PNG, your information is incorrect."
AAP read out ASIC's Carbon Planet statement which says: "Payments include $1.2 million of advanced funding on origination projects in PNG which the company expects to recoup in the 2009 financial year."
Johnson responded: "I am not explaining at all. I am not having this conversation," before hanging up.
PNG has the world's third-largest rainforest and the government has great interest in turning the asset into carbon trading revenue, but at present no such policy or legislation exists in PNG, nor under UN guidelines.
Earlier this week, PNG's Office of Climate Change (OCC) director Dr Theo Yasause denied that his office accepted money from foreign companies or made any deals despite, leaked documents suggesting otherwise.
AAP understands Carbon Planet is working on one scheme with Nupan PNG, run by Australian Kirk Roberts, who has developed potential projects in PNG's Kamula Doso regions, in
In November 2008, the OCC issued a contract for one million tonnes of voluntary carbon credits to Nupan for the Kamula Dosa project.
Dr Yasause said the OCC document issued to Nupan was a "sample" and was now null and void.
Also, an ongoing court battle with Kamula Dosa landowners restricts any business dealings in the 80,000ha of pristine forest.
Carbon Planet's literature predicts the global voluntary carbon market will be worth around $US9.9 billion-$US17.1 billion ($A12.5 billion-$A21.5 billion) per year by 2012.
They expect the global compliance market to be worth $US2 trillion ($A2.5 trillion) by 2020.
But while carbon trading has the potential to be a lucrative business, Carbon Planet has other financial issues.
KPMG partner Gary Savage in a Carbon Planet audit flagged the company's $4.6 million after tax loss by the year ended June 30 2008, and by October net losses had reached $6 million.
"These circumstances indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern..." Savage wrote.
ASIC would not comment.
Caption: An international TV documentary crew from the BBC which included British nationals have lunch with their Papua New Guinean colleagues in the rainforest of Mt Bosavi,
The British High Commissioner will host a reception next week to launch a series of messages targeting British travellers to
PNG continues to woo British visitors with Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) records showing 4450
Encouraging electronic Registration using LOCATE, an online service for visitor and resident Brits run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), forms one of the core messages at the launching of the High Commission’s new website www.ukinpng.fco.gov.uk
Unpredictability of world events such as natural disasters or civil unrest can quickly change a situation for travelling workers or holidaymakers, providing a service such as LOCATE helps ensure that British nationals and their families are contacted and assisted if necessary by FCO staff.
“If you are heading off the beaten track, LOCATE lets you explore in the knowledge that your contact details can be easily accessed in the event of a crisis,” said Acting British High Commissioner Colin Glass.
He added that in 2006-2007 FCO staff dealt with over 2,888,996 million enquiries from British nationals, helped 34,874 people in distress and issued, 11,138 emergency passports and 3, 279 temporary passports.
The messages have been tailor-made for all our customers, PNG-based British nationals, inward travellers and even Papua New Guineans planning to go on holidays or studies in the
Mr Glass said he hoped these important messages presented in this light-hearted manner, which are to be unveiled at a British citizens reception next Friday, will encourage UK nationals to register online or through the High Commission in Port Moresby.
Letters from Port Moresby (Year 5) |
Thursday, 18 June 2009 |
AS
And the World Health Organization in PNG is deeply concerned. It now looks at this country as new breeding farm for the dreaded virus, thus a potential exporter to its 17 island-country neighbors that include
From the recorded case on June 12 of 1,307, the confirmed new Aussie cases shot to a further 516 over the next four days on June 16, to 1,823.
With Australia’s soaring cases of the new swine flu strain being confirmed across the continent in just a matter of few days, and with a heavy concentration in the state of Victoria, what more could a neighbor like PNG do but get totally concerned, if not panic, for its people who are very much vulnerable to this kind of malady and for a number of reasons.
Not to mention that Papua New Guinea’s poor track record on HIV/AIDS and TB incidences – both deadly -- is classic
Right now, my second home is bracing against a feared possible entry of the deadly virus of swine flu, courtesy of recently-returned travelers who passed through
One good news is that, health authorities last night said the 15 or so Papua New Guinean travelers who have been isolated on suspicion of having the virus probed negative. Their blood samples were analyzed at the Public Centre for Influenza in
As more and more Papua New Guineans and other travelers arrive each day especially from
With 1,210 cases in the state of
Health quarantine officers at the
Because somewhere along the way to the airport back home, one or two of them could pick up the virus and carry it to PNG.
In the
With no one from the village having traveled overseas, it has been suspected that the possible source of exposure to virus could be a team of doctors and nurses who held medical mission in the said village school last month.
A similar mode of influenza A(H1N1) virus-jumping is one which PNG health authorities are dreading of right now. Knowing that most of the locals simply are unaware of the so-called proper personal hygiene, they know that the possibility of contamination and then, outbreak, is high.
One hit is just enough to serve as a fuse to detonate a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence of this disease among the people, especially in the rural areas.
What is going around the world at a speed never before anticipated has been described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the “new flu” – a new version of an old flu strain that has ignited the first global flu pandemic in 41 years. The strain was first monitored in
With this, WHO declared last June 11 a pandemic to warn nations around the world to get ready for a long and unpredictable battle against the new virus.
However, the agency hopes nations will not overact, for instance, by carrying out or continuing draconian “fortress” measures designed to keep the infection outside their borders, or slaughter pigs in the mistaken belief that people can get swine flu from swine.
And so, the PNG government is not letting its guard down, while it looks at events taking place in many countries where A(H1N1) is now widespread.
While lacking yet in sophisticated instruments like the radar-like thermal cameras which are now in use in major airports in many countries including the
Incoming overseas travelers found having the symptoms of the disease are immediately whisked into a specially-provided isolation room where the needed medical help is immediately administered.
Suspected cases are referred to the Pacific International Hospital (PIH) in
A thermal camera hoped to be installed soon at the
Costing at least US$40,000, this gadget monitors the body temperatures of passengers arriving on international flights and detects those with an unusually high temperature, who would then be quarantined for further observation.
With its meager budget that needed some beefing up with another K10 million, health department is making sure that the country is prepared for the inevitable entry and spread of the virus. More stocks of antiviral drug Tamiflu, anti-biotics and personal protective gears like masks and gloves are now being procured.
WHO top man in PNG, Dr Eigil Sorensen, has seen the need for collective preparedness in how best the nation can effectively mitigate the spread of H1N1 in the country.
“It is no longer a matter of prevention for swine influenza in PNG, but it is now our collective preparedness in lessening the impact of the virus should it eventually reaches our shores…” Dr Sorensen said, aware of the very limited reach of government health services in rural areas where the bulk of the country’s more than 5 million people are living.
Despite a relatively small population, the government could face difficulties in dealing with the virus should one from the grassroots fall victim to A(H1N1). With about 63 settlements nestled on the outskirts of
It is a common knowledge that most of Papua New Guineans are unaware of what proper hygiene is as it is known among educated citizens. One reason they are simply careless, health-wise, in the same way they carelessly litter the city with betel nut husks as they chomp their favorite nut.
The simple task of washing hands with ordinary soap bar after using the toilet or after touching soiled things (most of the time, they eat with their bare, unwashed hands) is one habit they have yet toacquire – one that is the most basic requirement in preventing the spread of swine flu virus, according to medical practitioners.
And all this boils down to one thing: the lack of potable water in most homes across the country, especially in villages. Many people could not wash their hands as often as they should, or at least before eating meals with their bare hands simply because they have no easy access to clean water. How much more with washing themselves or taking a bath regularly so they wouldn’t stink, and thus avoid offending the “noses” of the person next to them?
That washing hands is a habit developed from childhood could never be disputed. But since many homes across the country don’t have easy access to clean water – a landmark of inherent poverty in this country -- a child could grow to become an adult without being exposed to this simple task.
And just like other races across the globe, Papua New Guineans interact with one another prolifically especially in public areas like markets, shopping centers, sports arena, beerhouses and nightclubs. These places are convenient spots for breeding new carriers of A(H1N1) virus who would remain undetected.
And even if an individual, after contracting the disease, has been subjected to intense medication which is administered at home, there is no assurance that the “patient” would complete taking the anti-virus drugs. Usually, they believed that after a day or two of treatment, they would be healed by then. But they had been wrong, as always.
Filipino-friend doctors had told me that they have problems with their patients for being so stubborn in refusing to complete medication although they have the medicines with them at home.
And this was quite true among those TB patients undergoing treatment. They complained they never get healed by their medications, but only to admit later they had stopped taking their drugs after a day or two.
Such attitude makes up the bricks that would fortify the presence of A(H1N1) should it finally descend on the unfortunate masses. While the government continues to wage information drive on health care awareness, only very small section of the masses -- only those in urban areas -- is reached.
The bulk of population outside POM, especially in remote villages, remains uninformed as they don’t have television or radio by which the information is being disseminated.
It goes without saying all these efforts to prevent the spread of swine flu would be naught unless the targeted audience takes the proper attitude, which includes knowing about proper hygiene in the first place, such as covering the mouth with handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing, and washing hands immediately after that at the very first opportunity.
But how fast could it be learned? For all you know, hygiene is an acquired habit developed over a lifetime – at home, in school and at work places.
But the irony of it all is that most of Papua New Guineans have no homes to roost on, no schools to go to, and no work places from which to earn a living. So how else could one acquire the knowledge on proper hygiene which is crucial to life’s survival?
This one, really, would qualify as gem for “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!”!
Just like a bundle of dynamite sticks that could blow up with only a single fuse being lit, the swine flu virus incubating in one or two individuals could one day finally take wings, and hop onto the next careless, but not necessarily unknowing person. Then, that would be the day.
And just to think that this nation is a
Under this scenario, what are PNG’s chances of being spared from any outbreak?
To view the original online posting, please visit: http://www.batasmauricio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:png-scrambles-to-block-swine-flu-entry&catid=40:letters-from-port-moresby&Itemid=117
Email the writer: alfredophernandez@thenational.com.pg or Jarahdz500@online.net.pg
Today's Sydney Morning Herald has an excellent story about the Montevideo Maru and Rabaul as seen through the eyes of
The story is also online here http://www.smh.com.au/national/seeking-comfort-and-closure-67-years-on-20090617-chy3.html
Captions: 1. Pineapple Building. 2. Pineapple Building with the mildew-covered Central Government Building in the background
The ‘rough end of the pineapple’, Australian slang for a disadvantageous position which was made world-famous by prime minister Kevin Rudd, could be how Papua New Guineans could describe their deteriorating infrastructure, especially government buildings.
Colloquially, and literally – as seen by the ‘Pineapple Building’ at Waigani - Papua New Guineans are indeed getting ‘the rough end of the pineapple’.
The state of PNG government buildings all over the country epitomises the neglect and decline of the country since independence in 1975.
All over the country, hospitals, schools, public libraries and government buildings have basically gone to the dogs
The country's historic first Parliament (House of Assembly), in a converted isolation hospital in old Port Moresby town, has collapsed into a vandalised wreck.
The major government offices, inland at Waigani - the Canberra type geographical centre of Port Moresby - and the ‘Pineapple Building’ that once housed prime ministers, received so little maintenance that they were abandoned within 25 years of being built as health hazards.
The national bureaucracy as a result migrates from one new building to the next, leaving behind shells.
There has been much talk about restoring the first Parliament, and the ‘Pineapple Building’, however, it seems to have been much ado about nothing.
In September 1975, Port Moresby became capital city of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
New government buildings were constructed at Waigani area to house government departments, including a spectacular National Parliament Building, which was opened in 1984 by Prince Charles.
Other important national buildings such as Supreme Court, National Museum, and National Library are also located in the same area.
Among the buildings, there is a strange-shaped building opposite Sir John Guise Stadium.
This was originally one of the government buildings called ‘Marea Haus’, but now everybody calls it as the ‘Pineapple Building’ because of its shape resembling the tropical fruit.
All these, suffice to say, have fallen into various states of disrepair.
