Port Moresby General Hospital runs out of drugs

By Dr GLEN MOLA

Dr Glen Mola

Not always good news! 
Today we heard at our PMGH (Port Moresby General Hospital) staff meeting that we have run out of antiretroviral (ART or HIV drugs) medicines. 
We have many thousands of HIV positive people on treatment in NCD (and several more thousand around the rest of the country) and they may not have any medicine to take unless new supplies arrive in the very near future. 
People on ART must take their medicine every single day: they they stop and start again they are very likely to breed resistant HIV. 
This is not only bad (in fact life-threatening) for the patient, but life-threatening for everybody else in the community who might catch the HIV from them. 
We also don't have any syphilis test kits in the country.
Syphilis used to be the commonest cause of stillbirth (babies dying inside their mothers) in our audit stats.- and after we started routine testing of all mothers coming to AN clinics (and treating the positives) we virtually eliminated this scourge from our pregnant mums.
 But now with no test kits available, the syphilis problem will come back again and many babies will die.
And this week we ran out of Oxytocin, the drug that prevents women from losing too much blood when they deliver their babies.  The commonest cause of death when oxytocin is not available is post partum hemorrhage (or excessive bleeding after the birth); so we are probably now going to see a lot more mothers dies even when they come to hospital to have a supervised birth.
And we are very short of surgical sutures - the special thread and needle that surgeons use to sew up their patients during and after operations. 
Every day we don't have some essential item that is critical to save medical practice.
And the PNG government does not even pay for any of the family planning commodities - pills, depo, implants etc. - they are all donated to us by UNFPA and other overseas donor agencies.
 Eventually this will stop, because PNG has recently been upgraded to a "middle income country" because of our oil and gas extractive industries. 
And if the Government does not step up and buy the FP commodities that we need to assist people to plan their families.....??
Most doctors and nurses still try to keep positive about their work, but in the face of a government that does not support the health system - it is becoming more and more difficult.
And then we wee that there are millions of kina available for high profile stuff like various intensive care facilities at PMGH (coronary care, trauma, cardiac catheterization, renal dialysis etc.that will surely only benefit a minority of less than 1% of patients): but how come there is no money for the majority (99 per cent) of patients, - the sick kids, the women delivering their babies, the people every night needing emergency surgery, the HIV and TB patients, families needing contraceptive to plan their families etc?  "The answer my friend is blowing in the wind......" - Bob Dylan. 
Can we all start putting pressure on the government please to FUND THE HEALTH SERVICE PROPERLY - and not just through Borneo Pacific.

ExxonMobil PNG re-deploys PNG Salvation Army medical team to disaster-affected areas

As part of its on-going support to the earthquake affected communities, ExxonMobil PNG, operator of the PNG LNG project has re-deployed the PNG Salvation Army medical team to provide much-needed medical assistance as the company works towards supporting with repair and maintenance work on health care facilities.

A needs assessment conducted by the PNG Salvation Army and also ExxonMobil PNG has identified that many of the health care facilities in the project impact areas were displaced with limited or no medical supplies to assist the communities.

PNG Salvation Army health workers undergoing their code of conduct pre-deployment briefing by Gender and Protection Specialist from UN Women PNG office, Anggie Burchhil before their deployment to the Western Province on Monday to assist the earthquake affected communities.

ExxonMobil PNG community development support manager Debbie Maraki with PNG Salvation Army health workers and the territorial director of health services for PNG Salvation Army, Captain Christine Gee and gender and Protection Specialist from UN Women PNG office, Anggie Burchhil after their pre-deployment briefing.

The assessment also stated that structures of health care facilities were still intact but required minor repair and maintenance to ensure they were safe to be used while others needed re-stocking of pharmaceutical drug supplies.

ExxonMobil PNG managing-director Andrew Barry said: “Part of our long term recovery support plan is to reestablish the health care facilities that have been displaced, but at the same time we recognise that the people still need assistance with basic health service which the PNG Salvation Army medical team is able to provide.”

Six medical officers departed on Monday, May 14. They will be stationed at three locations including Huiya in the Mt. Bosavi area near the border of Hela and Western provinces and Habi and Wasowedu in the Western Province.

An additional two medical officers will depart in the coming days and will be at Hides to provide service to Para, Eduawi, Mananda, Komo, Benaria and Juni communities.

ExxonMobil PNG is also providing support for the restoration of education services and community food gardens as part of its long term recovery plan.

The company is also assisting the Government to build infrastructure and key roads and bridges for Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces that were destroyed during the disaster.

Port Moresby road works near completion

Friday May 18, 2018

Major road infrastructure works in and around Port Moresby are due for completion before the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November, according to city manager Bernard Kipit.

In fact, three out of six major road projects will be completed well before the end of August.

Ela Beach is the first major project to be completed on schedule, due to be opened to traffic by the end of July.

That will be followed by Stanley Esplanade in town and Independence Drive in Waigani, both due to be opened for traffic by the end of August.

The rehabilitation of the Freeway, Independence Boulevard, Independence Drive and the Wards Road roundabouts will be completed by the end of October.

All projects are consistent with NCDC’s four year plan.

 Kipit said there was no easy way to avoid the traffic congestion caused by the road works.

“In the example of the Freeway, traffic could not be diverted around site, as the surrounding roads were not designed for heavy or oversized vehicles," he said.

"So the Freeway has had to be rehabilitated in sections.

“But I want to assure the public that the end to our traffic woes is just around the corner.

“The cost to NCDC and our people has been minimal as the road projects have been funded by a series of generous non-tied aid grants from China.

“In the case of Ela Beach where we originally had to remove 100 trees to make way for the new-look Ela Beach.

"We are planting over 1,000 trees – which will transform Ela Beach in to a real showcase for Papua New Guinea, especially with APEC Haus as part of the landscape.

“It’s a win for our people and a win for the environment. 

“Motorists have been patient and their patience will be rewarded with Port Moresby connected with world-class roads infrastructure, the likes we have never before seen in our capital city.

“It has been a case of short term pain for long term gain.

“The new roads will facilitate the further growth and development of our city for the benefit of all.

“I wish to reassure motorists and residents that our major road works will soon come to an end, with world class roads as the reward for our patience, planning and perseverance."

Duterte, Papua New Guinea PM to hold talks Wednesday

by Azer Parrocha, pna.gov.ph
May 15, 2018

MANILA -- Papua New Guinea Prime Minsiter Peter O’Neill arrived in Manila on Tuesday afternoon for a three-day visit where he is scheduled to meet President Rodrigo R Duterte for a scheduled bilateral meeting on Wednesday.

Duterte will also be hosting a state banquet in honor of O’Neill on Wednesday night in Malacañan.

O’Neill arrived at 4:11 p.m. at the Villamor Airbase, according to a statement sent to the media by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

He was welcomed by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto, Pasay City Rep Emi Calixto-Rubiano and Navotas City Rep Tobias "Toby" Tiangco also joined Piñol in welcoming O’Neill.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by PNG Minister of Finance James Marape and Christopher Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Papua New Guinea Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Authority.

He will cap off his visit to the country by touring the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija and then proceed to Japan.

Papua New Guinea is this year’s chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Duterte and O’Neill met last year at the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

O’Neill was also in Manila during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2015. (PNA)

Widnes release Stanton Albert

loverugbyleague.com
May 13, 2018 

Widnes have released Papua New Guinea international Stanton Albert from his contract on compassionate grounds.

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

The 22-year-old joined the Vikings in the off-season from Queensland Cup side PNG Hunters, alongside brother Wellington.

However, Stanton has found chances limited at the Vikings and will return to Papua New Guinea to pursue his career in his home country.

Widnes head coach Denis Betts says it is unfortunate that it didn’t work out for Albert.

He said: “This has been a difficult situation for both Stanton and the club, but ultimately we have had to understand and accept his decision.

“Moving to a new country and settling into a new team can be difficult, and Stanton unfortunately struggled to adjust to moving here in the way that his brother, Wellington, has. Having linked up with the Vikings late into the pre-season, it naturally took Stanton time to get into the condition required for first team action. When we signed Stanton, we also recognised that whilst he had great natural attributes, he also had aspects of his game that required development or adjustment to play competitively in the UK.

“Stanton had been working hard to break into the first team, and we provided focused training and loan appearances at our partners, North Wales Crusaders, to support that progress. Ultimately though, he faced a lot of competition in our forward pack and needed to remain patient to claim his spot in the team. Stanton is someone who wants to play regularly, and this experience has been challenging for him. As a group, we have all tried our best to support his development, make him feel welcome here and support his overall welfare.

“Whilst we believe that Stanton could have been a successful player in the long-term, with ongoing development, we reluctantly agreed to this termination. We hope that this is a positive step for him and wish him all the best for the future.”

And Albert, who was a star for Papua New Guinea at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, says the club will always stay in his heart.

He said: “I have been grateful for the opportunity to join the Vikings, but unfortunately things haven’t worked out as I hoped.

“As a player, it is important to me to feature regularly and I have found my chances limited whilst I adjust to this new environment. I believe that it is the right decision for me to return to my homeland, where I can play regularly.

“This has been a very difficult decision to make, and I am grateful to the coaches and directors for their understanding.

“I would like to thank the players and supporters for the brilliant welcome that they gave me to the club. I wish Widnes Vikings lots of success for the seasons ahead, and look forward to backing Wellington and all the boys as a supporter. Once a Viking, always a Viking.”

Russian warship due to dock in Port Moresby

By PRIMROSE RIORDAN
The Australian
May 14

Russia will dock a warship in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea for the first time in the modern history of both nations, Russian media has announced.

The Russian navy training ship Perekop which will pay a visit to PNG.

Analysts say the move indicates Russia is increasingly interested in the Pacific after the country based 100 personnel in Indonesia’s Papua province and flew two nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers over the South Pacific on their first training mission there for a few days late last year.
The visit put the RAAF Base Darwin on a “short period” of ­“increased readiness”.
The 7000-tonne Perekop training ship is loaded with 200 cadets and armed with anti-submarine rockets and anti-aircraft guns. It will arrive in Port Moresby on Wednesday and stay until Saturday, Russian state media reported, quoting Russia’s navy spokesman Igor Dygalo.
The ship is on a two-month long mission that began in April and has included stopovers in ­Europe and Sri Lanka. Russia’s ministry of defence said the aim of the mission was to conduct exercises to train cadets in navigation.
Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute, said there was a question of what the diplomatic motivation was behind the port stop, considering it strayed from usual Russian naval routes.
“I would join it up to the very unusual aircraft deployment that the Russians did in Indonesia on the other side of the island but there is no sort of bristling military weaponry or capability … it’s really just a visiting of the flag.
“So the question is: what is the diplomatic motivation behind this?” he told The Australian.
“The Russians are more interested in the Pacific if you sort of join the dots of what they did in Fiji with the training mission with the Fijian armed forces.”
In 2016, Russia donated a 20-container shipment of weapons and military hardware to Fiji and stationed Russian troops on the islands to train local forces in how to use the equipment.
The Fijian government said the hardware was to arm Fijian peacekeepers on UN missions and the donation was seen as unusual by Pacific Island experts.
“The security orthodoxy in the Pacific Islands region is changing as new external actors play a greater role in the region, and local states engage in ‘new Pacific diplomacy’, placing ­Australia’s and New Zealand’s ­influence in the region at risk,” experts Anna Powles and Jose Sousa-Santos said in a 2016 paper that examined the Russian ­donation.
Dr Graham said Russia was keen to show it was courting countries that the West considered their partners.
“A poke in the eye for the US — that’s the standard cynical ­interpretation for anything they would do down here,” he said.
“It may just be a fairly low-cost way of showing the flag, ­announcing that Russia is still present and operates globally ... is engaged and has an interest in areas that other countries might regard as their backyard.”
He said PNG’s role as host to the APEC summit this year could also be behind the visit.
The French navy’s Jeanne d’Arc mission arrives in Darwin this week, an amphibious exercise involving two French ships along with British marines.
A Defence spokesman said the department was “aware of a planned port visit to Papua New Guinea by the Russian Navy”.

PNG foreign minister confirms visit of Russian naval vessel

Papua New Guinea Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Rimbink Pato has confirmed the visit of a Russian naval vessel this week.
He said in a statement yesterday that the visit by Russian naval cadets was a "pre APEC gesture".
"In a pre-APEC gesture of friendship, the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea will welcome the visit of some 200 young people from the Russian Federation," Pato said.
"At a meeting of APEC officials from a variety of member economies this month, Papua New Guinea arranged to host a crew of cadets learning about naval traditions and practices.
"The cadets are on a training tour through four oceans which includes visits to a range of foreign ports."
Pato said the cadets were scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby on Wednesday,  May 16 and depart on Saturday, May 19.
"While in Papua New Guinea they will learn about local culture and customs," he said.
"The cadets are travelling aboard the Perekop training ship, a 138-metre naval vessel
commissioned more than 40 years ago.
"It carries only basic armaments.
"The visit is the first of a range of visits by APEC members in the lead up to the APEC Leaders' Summit in November.
“We welcome youth from all APEC member economies prior to -- and during -- this great event for our country.
“This is not a formal port visit by the Russian Navy but rather a goodwill visit for young people, arranged at a convenient time with so many able to come to our country at once.
“Naturally, we have informed the Australians, our major security partner and close
neighbour, and advised them of the nature of the visit.
“As is usual with our friends and ally, the Australians welcome our attempts to draw
attention to the forthcoming APEC summit, and they support our efforts to cultivate
friendship and understanding among the youth of APEC nations.”