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PNG’s HIV Prevalence Critical

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National STI and HIV strategy launch booklet red in color

Seventy-two thousand is the estimated number of people living with HIV in Papua New Guinea.

More than 43,000 are on Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) while more than 50,335 are people living with HIV who know their status.  
 
Across the country, 2,400 women are estimated pregnant mothers living with HIV; of that 1,239 are receiving treatment.  

Thirty-four percent of pregnant mothers, that is 34 out of every 100 pregnant mothers have babies born positive.  

Speaking at a recent media briefing, Dr Gideon Nano who is the Program Manager for National STI/HIV at the National Department of Health said the challenge now is to get the mothers on the ART Treatment.
 
Previously, Port Moresby was the known hot spot with high incidences of HIV cases but the figures are alarming now that statistics show 100 percent increases in HIV cases in all provinces in the country.  

The government spends K8 – K9 million on procurement of drugs however this is challenging as the Aids Council Secretariat needs more than K40 million to conduct awareness, prevention and treatment activities.
 
On Friday 30th August, the Government through the Health Department launched the new National STI & HIV Strategy 2024 – 2028.  

The strategy is in line with the government’s vision to ensure every Papua New Guinean is healthy, educated and able to sustain themselves.

In his address, Health Minister, Dr Lino Tom said the HIV epidemic cannot be controlled by the government alone, the success of the strategy relies on many valued partners.
 
The first known case of HIV in Papua New Guinea was reported in 1987, since then the country has continuously faced challenges in reducing the spread of HIV and mitigating negative impacts on the health and economy of the nation.
 
Lino said, “Despite our efforts, the strategy – and the review of the previous one – does not shy away from identifying the gaps in our response and offering solutions. “

Some areas that need improving are primary HIV prevention response, better integration of STI and HIV services and the reliability of the supply chain of medicine.
 
The strategic approach seeks to revitalize the STI and HIV Prevention efforts, increase attention on treatment, strengthening systems and working in partnership with all Provincial Health Authorities.

Related story:

18 New HIV Cases Recorded Daily in PNG
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Health

Remote School Flies to Port Moresby for Life Saving Lessons

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Twenty-three students from Mougulu Secondary School in Western Province visited the National Ambulance Service headquarter in Port Moresby for some emergency life saving tips.

The excursion is part of the school’s educational program for first aid.

Mougulu Secondary school is located in remote Middle Fly District.

The school was established in 2019.

This year the school will graduate its first grade 12 students.

Founder of the Mougulu Secondary school, Mrs Sally Lloyd said health care is one of the problems that persuades students to drop out of school.

A simple request by Mrs Lloyd to the Management of St John Ambulance Service made the visit possible.

Mrs Lloyd said because of the schools geographical location it was important that they learn first aid from professional ambulance officers.

Mougulu is a small mission station and is only accessible by small engine aircrafts and it is very hard for medivac or transporting sick people.

Mougulu secondary students receive life saving training from St John Ambulance staff.

The only means of transport in Mougulu is canoe. The villagers use the river to access education and basic health needs.

The 23 students received attainment certificates from St John’s Ambulance following the completion of the training.

St John Ambulance’s Public Relations officer, Lulu Mark urged other schools in the country to also take part in such programs to learn life saving skills.

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Health

18 New HIV Cases Recorded Daily in PNG

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Lukautim Yu Yet Long AIDS - Billboard

An estimated 18 new HIV infections per day (approximately 6500 in 2022) is PNG’s current statistics.  This represents a 131 percent increase since 2010.

Around 800 new HIV infections occur annually among infants born to HIV positive mothers, equivalent to 2 infections per day in 2022.

CSO representatives taking questions from the media.

The total number of people living with the virus stands at 72,000 in 2022 translating to 1% percent prevalence nationally among adults aged 15 – 49. This level is the highest in the past 12 years.  UNAids reports that all 22 provinces recorded HIV infections with most showing an upward trend.

Most new infections result from sexual transmission due to multiple unprotected sexual encounters.

On the occasion of World TB Day, Sunday 24th March 2024,  Civil Society Organizations also called for action in consultation with the government and media to prevent the spread of the virus.

Speaking at media networking event on Wednesday 27th March, organized by Media Development Initiative, a PNG-Australia partnership, UNAids Country Director Maoela Manova said there is a critical need for immediate action to address the HIV epidemic in the country.

18 new HIV cases recorded daily in PNG
UNAIDS Country Director Maoela Manova

While Tuberculosis is preventable, it is closely related to HIV infections thus in PNG, TB remains a major health issue causing nearly a thousand deaths among people living with HIV.

An estimated 44,000 people fell ill with TB in PNG alone in 2022.

In her statement, Mrs Manova said while there is a decline globally in HIV infections, PNG is seeing the opposite.  Globally the number of new infections has dropped by 59 percent from 2.1 million in 2010 to just 1.3 million in 2022, this progress in a testament to decades of knowledge and evidence-based prevention strategies worldwide. 

Jonathan Wala – KPAC Rep

Other key partners in the fight against HIV/Aids are amplifying the messages of awareness on testing and stigma and discrimination and treatment through Antiretroviral Therapy.

Two such groups are Catholic Church Health Services {CCHS} and Key Population Advocacy Consortium PNG [KPAC].  CCHS has over 200 Health Facilities and 1,600 staff spread across 21 provinces. Meanwhile KPAC advocates for human rights of key populations to reduce stigma and discrimination and also advocates for legal and policy reforms as part of its mission.

Graham Apian – CCHS Director Projects
Graham Apian – CCHS Director Projects

These CSOs agree that PNG’s HIV status can be contained through awareness and the treatment of ARV drugs.  A major part of collaborative work by Civil Society Organizations is getting people to know their status through testing.   Antiretroviral Treatment is also free and available in most health centers. 

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Health

Angau’s Accountability: Report

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Angau Accountability

Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA) CEO, Dr. Kipas Binga, has announced that a financial report and acquittals will be submitted to Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge once the funds allocated to address the drug shortage in Morobe have been utilized.

Dr. Binga clarified that out of the K3.5 million allocated by Governor Wenge on December 4, 2023, K1.5 million was earmarked for the regular operations of the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MPHA).
The remaining K2 million was specifically designated to tackle the pressing issue of drug shortages that had plagued the province.

The CEO emphasized that the K3.5 million provided by the governor constituted a substantial lump sum payment covering both operational expenses and the drug shortage initiative.

Angau Accountability

Of the K1.5 million allocated for regular operations, K200,000 has already been utilized for public health purposes.

However, Dr. Binga assured that the remainder would be carefully budgeted, primarily targeting the first quarter of the current year.

Regarding the K2 million allocated to address the drug shortage, Dr. Binga affirmed that the funds are readily available.

Once these funds are utilized, a comprehensive report will be compiled and submitted to Governor Wenge for review.

The K2 million donation by Governor Wenge was a response to the “Nogat Marasin Campaign,” which gained traction in Lae City.

Led by a dedicated team of Lae citizens and supported by Morobe Citizens the campaign aimed to draw attention to the critical shortage of medical drugs in the province’s health centers.

This initiative underscores the collaborative efforts between local authorities and concerned citizens to address pressing healthcare challenges, with transparent financial reporting ensuring accountability and effective utilization of resources in Morobe Province.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

Related: https://insidepng.com/angau-hospital-crisis-morobe/

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Health

Angau Hospital Crisis: Morobe

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Angau Hospital Crisis

In a recent statement, Dr. Kipas Binga, CEO of Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA), highlighted the daunting challenges confronting Angau Hospital.

Dr. Binga illuminated a stark imbalance between patient numbers and available healthcare staff, presenting a significant hurdle to the hospital’s operations.

Serving a densely populated area, Angau Hospital currently grapples with a staggering 860 unfilled positions.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

In response, Morobe PHA has initiated an intensive three-week online recruitment drive aimed at filling these vacancies. Dr. Binga acknowledged that immediate relief might not be attainable, but expressed hope that the recruitment efforts would gradually alleviate the strain on existing healthcare workers, particularly in the Accident and Emergency Department, thus reducing patient wait times.

Addressing allegations of nepotism in the recruitment process, Dr. Binga vehemently refuted such claims. He assured stakeholders that all applicants undergo rigorous screening and interviews conducted jointly by Morobe PHA and the Department of Personnel Management, emphasizing transparency and adherence to established protocols.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

Furthermore, Dr. Binga stressed the critical shortages of medical doctors and nurses at Angau Hospital, affirming ongoing efforts to address these gaps through targeted online recruitment initiatives.

Dr. Binga’s statements underscore Morobe PHA’s resolute commitment to tackling staffing challenges at Angau Hospital. The organization remains dedicated to transparency and fairness in online recruitment processes, with the overarching goal of enhancing healthcare delivery and effectively meeting the community’s needs.

Angau Hospital Crisis

Related: https://insidepng.com/angaus-accountability-report-2024/

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Health

Callan Services Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer

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Callan Services PNG has many volunteers that help with their work. The Network of Callan Services is the largest provider of services to children and adults with disabilities in Papua New Guinea.

With their aim to help improve the lives of People living with disabilities, the Callan Services relies heavily on volunteers.

Volunteer work involves a lot of time and commitment, Michael Eran is a Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer and works with the Callan Services in Mingende Chimbu Province.

He started training to be a Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer in 2010 and in 2011 started as a volunteer.

“2010 I underwent training and in 2011 I received the certificate to work as a Community Based Rehabilitation Volunteer. It’s been 13 years now working for this Organization,” Michael Eran said.

His work extends to all who need the services provided by Callan Services PNG and its international partners, he works with different groups of individuals living with disabilities, which includes the blind and other various disability patients.

Michael said one of his most satisfying role as part of his volunteer work is rehabilitating paraplegics, those who are paralyzed.

“We have various people living with disability in the community, and each of them have specific Programs for their rehabilitation, to help them to be more independent, so we schedule what devices to use also what exercises they need to do, to help improve their mobility as well,” Eran said.

He said those who seek help with Callan Services, he also assesses and refers them to specialists.

Michael says he doesn’t expect much praise and recognition towards his volunteer work, he says he often gets assistance from his patients but doesn’t expect much overall. He is happy when those in his care are doing well.

“Sometimes if those I help are able to assist me in any way possible they do. They are always appreciative of the work I do to help them, especially when they get some independence in their movement and show signs of improvement,” Eran said.

Related Story: https://insidepng.com/cataract-eye-surgery-in-rural-papua-new-guinea-250124/

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Health

Callan Services Provide Cataract Eye Surgery in Rural Papua New Guinea

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Callan Services provide Cataract Surgery for Rural Papua New Guinea

On the 11th to the 18th of November in 2023 Callan Services with the support of donor partners, including Christian Blind Mission, held a successful, one week Cataract eye surgery program in Mingende Chimbu Province.

Cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Cataracts are very common as you get older.

Callan services in the Mingende area of Chimbu Province, have been hosting the surgery for the past almost 20 years as an annual program.

Hopeful Cataract patients at Mingende awaiting evaluation.

The surgery is most sought after and many from all the provinces in the Highlands region make the pilgrimage to Mingende to get the corrective eye surgery.

With the rugged terrain across Papua New Guinea many in the rural highlands struggle to make their way to the hospital for the surgery.

The Callan services Program Coordinator in Mingende, Angela Mua in Mingende said some of these patients are carried from their villagers by relatives and Volunteers.

Areas in Chimbu Province are mountainous and some of the patients are carried in to the resource center.

So they sometimes don’t have a place to stay so we accommodate them at our resource center, so we have to charge fees to these patients, but we collect the fees and it helps us to feed the patients and their Guardians.

A program like the cataract eye surgery is very expensive, and Callan Services PNG are always grateful for the support from donor partners.

Mua mentioned that one of their longtime partners Christian Blind Mission.

“Christian Blind Mission (CBM) is our main donor to the resource center since 2002, for activities administration and wages for staff,” Mua said

Doctors are flown in for the surgery while the support staff from the various eye clinics in the Highlands region.

Damian Sungu the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Goroka Eye Clinic said they were here to help with the surgery, he himself has been part of the program since its inception.

“Cataract is like a prison, because the patients are left to stay at home and they cannot do much, so we thank our Community Based Rehabilitation teams, who move around in the Villages through some of the most toughest terrains, just to look for these men and women who suffer from Cataract, they do the initial screening to determine the cataract and later on refer them for surgery,” Sungu said

The week long program was a huge success with more than a 100 patients going in for surgery, in the past it was an all expatriate team of Doctors which led the surgery but in the past few years it has been an all Papua New Guinean team delivering the success of the cataract eye surgery in Mingende Chimbu Province.

Matthew Aeno Mala, a patient from Eastern Highlands province made the trip to Mingende, after the success of his eye surgery he was pleased with the results and praised all that made it possible for the week long program that helped many not only to restore their vision but to get back their lives.

“I thank Callan Services PNG for the surgery, I maybe in my 60s but I still can contribute to society and also work for myself, I know I am a useful member of my community,” Aeno Mala said

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Optical Eye Screening

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by Frank Mogona

Kerowagi, SIMBU – Hundreds of people with disabilities are gathering at Kerowagi’s Mingende Station to seek eye-care and other specialist services.

This follows an outreach program by the Callan services targeting people with special needs in Simbu Province.

Optical eye checks in Simbu.

Callan services is facilitated by the locals in Mingende in partnership with donor partners from the Christopher Blind Mission in New Zealand and serves the six districts of Simbu province which are, Kerowagi, Kundiawa-Gembogl, SinaSina-Yonggomugl, Chuave, Karimui-Nomane and Gumine.

A former teacher from Eastern Highlands said Callan is doing a very important outreach that is reaching those in the rural communities.

He added that if they travel to Port Moresby for an eye check or eye cleaning, it will be too expensive for many taking into account accommodation, airplane fares and hospital fees.

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Health

Supporting SJA

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Island Mobile Hire Cars

A hire car company in Port Moresby has gifted St John, a fully kitted ambulance. This is to help continue its work, responding to health emergencies in NCD and neighboring provinces.

The Island Mobile Hire Cars handed over a brand-new Land Cruiser to St. John worth K170,000 as its dedication to the welfare of communities in Papua New Guinea.

Island Mobile Hire Cars’ Executive Officer to the Managing Director, Malcolm Mamatta said they recognize the vital roles St.Johns play.

“We are proud to be part of their mission and to contribute this fully kitted ambulance to enhance their capacity to save lives,” said Mamatta.

Hire car company supporting SJA with a fully kitted ambulance vehicle.

The running of an emergency service like St John is costly and there were reports of St. John Ambulances stoned while ambulance officers were attending to emergencies.

The handover of a fully kitted ambulance will increase the capacity of the responses by ambulance officers.

SJA Chief Executive Officer, Matt Cannon said the new ambulance is fully kitted with medical equipment and supplies which is needed to save lives.

“The addition of this ambulance to their fleet will enable them to continue to respond promptly to accidents, injuries and other medical emergencies. Ensuring that residents in targeted regions receive the car they need,” said Cannon.

Island Mobile Hire Cars

Related: https://insidepng.com/news-march22-rotary-club-of-port-moresby-supports-st-john-ambulance/

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Supply of Medical Drugs

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Medical Supplies

Nine urban clinics in Lae Open will be supplied medical drugs from the Lae City Authority (LCA). Whilst the procurement and supply of medical drugs is a concern for the National Treasury and the Department of Health, Lae City Authority wants to ensure urban clinics have medical supplies.

In ensuring this happens, LCA CEO Robin Calistus delivered the supplies to Nursing Officer, Sr. Manzia Bomie on behalf of local MP, John Rosso.

The K100,000 worth of medical drugs will be distributed to Butibam, Buimo Road, Buimo CIS, Milford Haven, Malahang, Tent City, Taraka, Centre of Mercy and Sir Bob Sinclair clinics.

Sr Bomie from Butibum Clinic thanked authorities for the support and said the supplies will complement the work of medical officers.

“This supply will sustain the clinics until the next supply from Area Medical Store is received in November,” said Sr. Bomie.

In Parliament this week, Bulolo MP Sam Basil Junior questioned the government on the issue of shortage of vaccines for babies.

“It was reported yesterday (on Post Courier Tuesday 10 October 2023) that there was shortage of vaccines for children,” Basil stated.

Narrowing the concern down to his district, Basil said mothers in Bulolo are finding it hard to bring babies to Bulolo for immunisation because of the recent floods in Morobe.

“How will mothers take their children to the hospitals? These are basic drugs and vaccines for the children”, Basil asked.

However in responding Prime Minister James Marape said at no time his government will compromise the health of the children and its people.

“I have been told by the Health Department that there are supplies in stock and where areas of demands are they will be dispensing those supplies to,” Marape said.

Meanwhile Local MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso said, he is working closely with Health Minister Dr Lino Tom to ensure that health reforms including the efficient procurement and distribution of medicine for the country is given the priority attention it requires.

The Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MPHA) is responsible for ANGAU Memorial Hospital and all health services in Morobe.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/collaboration-for-cleaner-lae/

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