Air New Zealand is introducing a 'no jab, no fly' policy for international travellers, starting in February next year. The airline will require customers travelling anywhere on its international network to be fully vaccinated. Chief executive Greg Foran says vaccination against Covid-19 is the new reality of international travel. He said many destinations New Zealanders wanted to travel to were already closed to unvaccinated visitors. The policy will apply to all passengers aged 18 and older, arriving or departing Aotearoa on an Air New Zealand aircraft. Anyone who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will need to provide proof. Foran said the decision came through "loud and clear" in recent consultations with employees. "We want to do everything we can to protect them. Mandating vaccination on our international flights will give both customers and employees the peace of mind that everyone onboard meets the same health requirements as they do." All flight crew travelling internationally will also require full vaccination. "We know this is the right thing to do to protect our people, our customers and the wider New Zealand community. We'll spend the next few months making sure we get this right, ensuring it works as smoothly as possible for our customers. This also gives anyone wanting to travel from next year plenty of time to get their vaccination." Foran said the company was working on rolling out the International Air Transport Associations (IATA) Travel Pass app, which would check customers' health information against flight details to ensure they are meeting entry requirements for that destination. The Travel Agents Association said vaccination requirements for international travel will make it more complex, but the move was not a surprise. President Brent Thomas said it had been expected overseas travelling would be different. Thomas said the IATA app will make travelling easier for both customers and airlines.

The Tinkoris Outpatient Ward was officially opened on Friday 1st October. Located in the Matalai LLG of the Namatanai District the opening will allow for the 40,000 plus population from surrounding LLG's, Tanir, Konoagil, Matalai and the whole of Namatanai District access to quality health service. A small but significant ceremony was held at the entrance of the hospital to mark the opening. Present to witness the occasion alongside Governor Sir Julius Chan was Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut, Provincial Executive Council members, Director of Curative Health Care Dr Charles Peni and staff of the Kavieng Provincial Health Authority. Dr Peni who confessed he was a skeptic at first said Sir J’s vision to bring down such health services only found in urban settings is in line with the overall Health plan of the country. “ By definition where there is a population of between 40,000 to 50,000 there is the qualification for a Rural Hospital. Namatanai alone has over 60,000 so this Hospital will run pallarel with the Namatanai Hospital. So we are privileged to have a leader who has a vision and driven by faith to implement such a world class Hospital in this part of New Ireland,” said Dr Peni. Sir J said the Hospital was built to honor the memory of his late mother Miriam Tinkoris who passed away 47 years ago come October 30th. “ This hospital is named after my mother because she was the best carer and she will look after you the same way she looked after me,” said Sir J. Sir J further conveyed that the outpatient ward opening was just a warm up, with the actual opening of the entire Hospital to be held on the 29th of October a day before his mother’s death anniversary. He has never failed to visit her grave site in Rabaul since she passed on. Despite political tensions in the Matalai LLG caused by a minority the Health staff said they are there to provide much needed health care to the people as per their job description. The total cost of the Tinkoris Hospital is K18 million that has been totally funded by the New Ireland Government and includes 4 stand-alone Doctor’s houses and two Nursing Apartments. It will have approximately 40 staff, including doctors, nurses and an administrative manager.

Some church leaders in Fiji want the Government to allow non-vaccinated people to enter their houses of worship. Only those fully vaccinated will be allowed into churches when places of worship open their doors on Monday. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said last week once Fiji achieved 70 percent full vaccination, all workplaces, tertiary institutions, houses of worship, hotels, restaurants, cafés, cinemas, gyms, pools and tattoo parlours could operate at 70-percent capacity. According to the Health Ministry, 95.8 percent of the target population have received one dose, and 72.5 percent are fully vaccinated. There has been pressure on the clergy to get the injections since the Government's 'No jab, no job' policy for public servants was announced in June. The Christian Mission Fellowship Church confirmed about 10 of its pastors had quit because they did not want to get the vaccine. The church's media director, Joe Kurulo, said the ministers were not forced to resign but had done so of their own free will. He said the church respected their decision. The Government's policy is being supported by a majority of the churches, with some churches advising their followers to stay at home if they were not fully vaccinated. The Methodist Church said no one was spared from this requirement including divisional heads, ministers, stewards and other staff. Church president Reverend Ili Vunisuwai confirmed that a circular had been sent to all 59 divisional heads to collect data from the clergy to determine those who had been vaccinated and those who hadn't. He said the church would make further announcements on their fate when a decision is made. "Only those who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed into churches," Vunisuwai said. "If they have not been fully vaccinated, then they have to remain at home until they are fully vaccinated." [caption id="attachment_15546" align="alignnone" width="1030"] Sacred Heart Church in Levuka, Fiji Photo: Supplied[/caption] But the Assemblies of God Church said people should not be stopped from coming to church - whether they were vaccinated or not. General Secretary Reverend Filikesa Koroivueta urged the Government to review its decision. He said the church would propose unvaccinated people be allowed in church but with strict measures in place. "We still hope that our national leaders will at a point in time consider the unvaccinated people to enter our churches." Koroivueta said they had yet to account for their members including pastors who were not vaccinated. He said the AOG were not a member of the Fiji Council of Churches and it would make a separate proposal to the authorities. The Catholic Church also wants to have open churches for all worshippers Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said while they welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister, they would also push for dialogue to have an open church for its members. "We would request for a dialogue so that we can accommodate religious values and respect people's freedom of religion and also while we have our religious freedom, we also have a social responsibility that we support," Chong said. [caption id="attachment_15547" align="aligncenter" width="1046"] Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. Photo: Supplied/Archdiocese of Suva[/caption] Chong said they could have an open church whether people were fully vaccinated or not, but everybody that comes into church must practice extremely strict Covid-safe protocols. "That is the possibility between respecting religious freedom and at the same time understanding everyone's social responsibility of the common good." Chong said he had received reports that all his priests had received the vaccine. But World Harvest Centre Associate Pastor Kolinio Boila said as law-abiding citizens, church members were also required to work within the law. "We also aware it is a temporary arrangement, and restrictions will be lifted in stages. So we have to learn to be flexible and adjust accordingly," Boila said. "We are excited about the opportunity to have church services again after seven months of not being able to do so. "We will work within the 70 percent capacity. We are glad it is better than the 50 percent when restrictions were uplifted last year. "The church is encouraging its members to follow Ministry of Health and Medical Services advice and get vaccinated," Boila said. He said those who were still yet to receive their Covid-19 vaccine dose would be able to access all church services live on Facebook and YouTube. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS

The Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Soroi Eoe says the Government will continue to support local Small to Medium Enterprise (SMEs) to remain in business, create employment and generate revenue for the economy. Minister Eoe said this on Friday (01/1021) when presenting a cheque of K55 000 to a local SME Kaoha Ltd involved in providing water purification and filtration services for his Kikori District in the Gulf province. He said the pandemic is here to stay and encouraged his people and local SMEs ∂to adhere to the Niupla Pasin COVID19 protocols and actively engage in their little businesses. “The National Government strongly encourages our local SMEs and those engaged in any form of income generating activity to continue what you are doing, but at the same time follow the Niupla Pasin and get vaccinated for the health and safety of yourself and families. ‘Funding to the tune of K200million has been released to the two commercial banks, BSP and National Development Bank-NDB to help struggling SMEs which were affected by the pandemic. That is part of the overall government’s financial policy intervention towards local businesses. “I am very thankful to Kaoha Ltd a local Papua New Guinean family owned SME that has come up with the technique and resource to filter dirty water and purify it for drinking and cooking in our Kikori District. “We are engaging their services because our people really need clean and safe drinking and to stop them from drinking contaminated ground water’’, said the Acting Prime Minister and Kikori MP. The Acting Prime Minister said his Kikori District is a riverine district and the people’s water wells and creeks are contaminated by flooding. “Our people are drinking water from the rivers, water wells and other sources from the ground and most times they become sick from water borne diseases like malaria as the creeks are infested with mosquito larva. “This water filtration buckets can and will certainly go a long way in helping our people drink water filtered and free of bacteria’’, he said. Minister Eoe says the waterways and creeks in the Kikori area is often dirty and contaminated by the many rivers that are flooded during heavy rains. “The flood waters go up the villages along the river banks and cover the entire area, destroy and contaminate our water wells and when our people drink those dirty water they get sick and are hospitalized. “The Kikori District Development Authority-KDDA in partnership with the Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ has purchased water tanks to collect rainwater and supply to villages but this water purification and filtration technology using simple buckets will complement and help our people a lot in providing clean water. “We are also lucky to have water tanks for our clans in the Kikori District but sometimes communally owned water tanks are subject to abuse and we all know that so we are also looking at the water filtration buckets that you are providing. “So this particular water purification and filtration unit which your Kaoha is providing is more suited to families and households in our District as it is really practical and beneficial to our purposes’’, said Minister Eoe. The Acting Prime Minister on behalf of the Kikori District Development Authority-KDDA thanked the Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ for supporting the water filtration program. “These are some of the projects that we are involved in terms of safety measures that will have a direct impact on the lives of people in his district. “The other program that were looking at purchasing 41 Lucas sawmills to cut and mill timber to help the local people build facilities like health centers, schools, churches and homes including logs for infrastructure projects like bridges and jetties that are of economic value. “’We will distribute depending on the size of the villages and households a Lucas sawmill unit to each ward to cut and mill timbers. “The other is the Chinese Government funded road projects from Bluff to Vailala in Kerema which has never been built over the last 46 years to link Ihu and Kikori to the main Kerema town. And on top of that we have the Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ coming on. “So these are some of the things we are doing to get our people prepared for many projects and resource investments coming our way like the road linking Hela, Southern highlands and Gulf provinces into the capital Port Moresby which will bring huge economic benefits and we don’t want our people to miss out and or greatly affected’’, said Minister Eoe. The water filtration buckets are able to cure dirty sludgy water from any water borne diseases and they have been tried, tested and approved by the National Agriculture Research Institute-NARI. The Ihu Special Economic Zone-ISEZ project has purchased over 300 filtration buckets and will be distributed to selected communities in the Kikori District especially in the West Kikori LLG villages as well as Popo and Orokolo villages in the Ihu LLG. Minister Eoe says the purchase of the water filtration buckets compliments the efforts by the Kikori Districts to purchase water tanks for the district totaling K1million and the purchase of 41 sawmills for communities in the district to improve their livelihoods. The Member for Kikori also says the filtration buckets will be beneficial to communities that rely on well water and creeks which are often contaminated and destroyed by heavy flooding yearly. The filter is attached to a bucket and is purely gravity fed and is suitable for river, swamp and well water but not estuary saline water. It is called Sawyer Point One Filter Operation and to operate, one needs to fill the bucket with water and allow it to filter through to another container and the output is in excess of 1200 liters per day.

Worldwide deaths related to Covid-19 surpassed 5 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, with unvaccinated people particularly exposed to the virulent Delta strain. The variant has exposed the wide disparities in vaccination rates between rich and poor nations, and the upshot of vaccine hesitancy in some western nations. More than half of all global deaths reported on a seven-day average were in the United States, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and India. While it took just over a year for the Covid-19 death toll to hit 2.5 million, the next 2.5 million deaths were recorded in just under eight months, according to a Reuters analysis. An average of 8000 deaths were reported daily across the world over the last week, or around five deaths every minute. However, the global death rate has been slowing in recent weeks. There has been increasing focus in recent days on getting vaccines to poorer nations, where many people are yet to receive a first dose, even as their richer counterparts have begun giving booster shots. More than half of the world has yet to receive at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to Our World in Data. The World Health Organisation this week said its COVAX distribution programme would, for the first time, distribute shots only to countries with the lowest levels of coverage. Co-led by the WHO, COVAX has since January largely allocated doses proportionally among its 140-plus beneficiary states according to population size. "For the October supply we designed a different methodology, only covering participants with low sources of supply," Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director general for access to vaccines, said in a recording of a conference presentation last week posted on the WHO's website. The United States, which has been battling vaccine misinformation that has caused about one-third of the population to avoid inoculations, surpassed 700,000 deaths on Friday, the highest toll of any country. [caption id="attachment_15536" align="aligncenter" width="965"] A US Army soldier prepares to vaccinate a person in Miami. Photo: 2021 Getty Images[/caption] US cases and hospitalisations have been trending lower, but health officials are bracing for a possible resurgence as cooler weather forces more activities indoors. Russia reported 887 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, the largest single-day death toll it has recorded since the pandemic began and the fourth day in a row it has set that record. Only 33 percent of Russia's eligible population has received a first vaccine dose. As a region, South America has the highest death toll in the world accounting for 21 percent of all reported deaths, followed by North America and Eastern Europe contributing more than 14 percent of all fatalities each, according to Reuters analysis. However, India, one of the first countries ravaged by the Delta variant, has gone from an average of 4000 deaths a day to fewer than 300 as its vaccination campaign is rolled out. [caption id="attachment_15537" align="alignnone" width="976"] A health worker inoculates a woman with the jab of Covishield Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at a temporary vaccination camp in Ahmedabad, India. Photo: AFP or licensors[/caption] About 47 percent of India's eligible population has received a first shot, with officials administering around 7,896,950 doses per day over the past week, a Reuters analysis of Our World in Data showed. The Delta variant is now the dominant strain around the globe and has been reported in 187 out of 194 World Health Organisation member countries. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS

One lucky student attending Goilanai Primary School in Alotau, Milne Bay Province will have a chance to be granted a scholarship from the Mrs Joel Memorial Scholarship. Mr James Joel, son of Mrs Joel and the main sponsor of the scholarship said that the idea of the scholarship came about because he wanted to honor his mother’s love for teaching children. “I set up this scholarship initiative to honour my mother’s love for teaching children.” “It also gives me closure after losing her and so I’ve decided to offer this scholarship as my way of remembering her,” said Mr James Joel. Late Mrs Niandriken Joel who was originally from Rambutso, Manus Province after marrying her husband who is from Suau, Milne Bay Province, taught at schools in other provinces before settling to teach at various schools in Milne Bay. Both Mrs Joel and her husband were teachers. Late Mrs Joel taught Grades 1– 4 classes at Goilanai Primary so the scholarship is targeted for children in those grades. James said that the scholarship is not only for school fee assistance but for anything else that the student might need to be at school and is worth K1,000. The student will be selected through the following criteria: • Currently enrolled at Goilanai Primary school • Great Attendance • All-round good grades in all subjects at school He added that the funding assistance is not for the parents but to help one child go to school. Applications for the scholarship is now open and will close on 1st November, 2021. All applications can be emailed to James Joel on: james@jjhvelectricalservices.com.

Oil Search is strongly committed to protecting the people of Papua New Guinea from the spread of COVID-19. After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Papua New Guinea National Control Centre (NCC) for COVID19, the company is now administering the COVID-19 vaccination to staff and community. “We are happy that we are able to be a major part of the solution by working collaboratively with our National Government and NCC, in proactively managing the growing severe risks of COVID-19 through vaccination,” said Leon Buskens, Oil Search Executive Vice President & Co-Head PNG. “Oil Search is always there in times of disaster such as the earthquake and droughts working with our leaders and communities. We are pleased to be able to again contribute with the COVID-19 disaster. COVID-19 is real and has and can further cripple social and economic living.” To date, all of Oil Search’s PNG field operations including its Moro site remain COVID-free. This has been a result of strict protocols, including quarantine, twice weekly testing and wastewater testing. Oil Search has conducted more than 54,000 COVID-19 tests at its medical clinics and quarantine facilities, distributed 450,000 items of personal protective equipment to health workers, and administered more than 1300 doses of the AstraZeneca and J&J vaccines. More than 1150 Oil Search staff and contractors in PNG have now received their COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, the Company continues to assist the PNG Government COVID-19 response through dedicated PNG industry task force with supply chain and logistics as requested. Api Kassman, the head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Ministerial Task Force said that the Government is now directly engaging with companies that have registered medical staff so they can administer vaccines. “Companies such as Oil Search have medical staff who are able to administer vaccinations and so they are expanding vaccine coverage to workers, their families and community members. We appreciate these companies that are playing an important role in helping our people to vaccine. “For other private sector businesses who are looking to have their workforce fully vaccinated, we also have mobile vaccine units that can visit the offices and workshops. After the first phase of the vaccine rollout, it has become very clear that we must have more mobile units to take vaccines to our people.” Mr Kassman called on businesses around the country to register their interests in receiving vaccines through the National Call Centre. “The number to call is 1-800-200. You just need to call and leave your details and you will be contacted to arrange an appointment." "The range of vaccines available has also expanded with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine which is made by the same company that makes the baby powder and shampoo." “Johnson & Johnson is also a single-dose vaccine, and this means people only need one shot to be fully vaccinated." Everyone is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated to protect individuals, families and communities from this deadly virus,” Mr Kassman said.

The COVID-19 virus, potentially the delta variant, is spreading quickly through Eastern Highlands Province. PNGIMR Director, Prof William Pomat, has instituted measures to scale down operations, as staff test positive to the virus. Only essential staff will come to the office every day; other staff will work from home or come in on staggered hours. Staff members who test positive or have a positive household member must remain at their house. IMR will test all staff without symptoms once a week. If a staff member develops COVID-19 like symptoms, they must stay home and contact an IMR clinician who will go to their home to test and provide care. These measures are in addition to existing rules about wearing facemasks and social distancing at the office. Only vaccinated staff are allowed to conduct research activities in clinics and communities. Prof Pomat says, ‘The delta variant is extremely infectious. Even if you had COVID-19 before or have been vaccinated, you may be infected again." "PNGIMR performs an important role in the national and provincial COVID-19 responses." "I have instituted these measures to keep our staff and their families safe, so we can continue to do our work. I urge all unvaccinated IMR staff and members of the public to get vaccinated to avoid severe illness."

The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) Commissioner General - Mr Sam Koim OBE, is pleased to announce the development of a new online client platform – myIRC. Currently under development by NiuPay Limited (NiuPay), the platform will offer a suite of IRC taxation services online. It will enable individuals and organisations, for the first time, to lodge returns, pay their taxes, as well as other interactions previously only able to be performed at an IRC office. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our service and operate in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The myIRC platform will not only extend the front desk of the tax authority into homes and offices across PNG, but also offer improved efficiencies and enhanced data-security throughout the organisation.” – Sam Koim. The platform will streamline taxpayer dealings with IRC and will, in turn, result in increased data protection, improved departmental efficiencies, taxation account reconciliation and an improved standard of customer support. NiuPay currently plans to have the platform switched on in late 2021. They will then bring additional services online throughout 2022 and onwards. “myIRC stands as a major leap forward for the IRC through online service delivery and I’m looking forward to sharing more information in the coming months” - Sam Koim. This new development is consistent with the IRC’s vision of building the foundations of a modern and robust tax administration and strategically in line with the IRC’s digital transformation agenda. IRC and NiuPay will announce in the coming months these new developments as we strive to work towards delivering services that rise above and beyond the public’s expectations.

National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop has commended PNG Prime Minister, James Marape for raising the West Papua issue in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last Friday while respecting the sovereignty of Indonesia. Governor Parkop, a strong advocate for the rights of the people of West Papua, said it was a milestone despite PM Marape raising it in a very diplomatic and subtle way. PM Marape told world leaders at the UNGA: “Whilst commending the UN on the peace efforts in Papua New Guinea, I would also like to recall the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ decision in 2019 and the outstanding visit by the UN Human Rights mechanism to address the alleged human rights concerns in our neighbourhood. “This visit is important to ensure that the greater peoples of the region have peace within their respective sovereignties and their rights and cultural dignities are fully maintained.” Governor Parkop said what PM Marape had done was a milestone in that no past PNG leader had raised the West Papua issue at the UNGA. “What PM Marape has done, in a very subtle and diplomatic manner, was to raise the issue of West Papua while respecting the sovereignty of Indonesia,” he said. Governor Parkop also called Pacific Island Forum and the United Nations Human Rights Commission to keep applying the pressure on Indonesia to allow the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights to visit West Papua to verify the many allegations of human rights abuses. Governor Parkop also called on the Melanesian Spearhead Group to initiate a process to enable meaningful dialogue between the West Papuan Leadership and Indonesia Government to address the demand and aspirations of the people of West Papua to self determination and independence. “This is the fundamental issue that must be addressed sincerely and adequately. As long as this pertinent issue is not openly discussed and resolved there will always be crisis and instability in West Papua,” he said.

The Board, Management, Staff of Cricket PNG and members of the Kumul Petroleum PNG National Cricket Teams, the Barramundi’s, Lewa’s and the Under 19’s express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of the late Kune Amini, former national captain, who passed away suddenly in Port Moresby on Wednesday September 29, 2021. The Amini family has represented Papua New Guinea with distinction, on and off the field, playing vital roles on the field, and in leadership, with an Amini captaining a Cricket PNG team becoming somewhat of a formality. The Late Brian Amini, father-in-law of late Kune, Charles Amini Snr. husband of the late Kune, Chris Amini eldest son, Colin Amini second born, and Charles Amini Jnr. their youngest child all have held leadership roles in Cricket PNG national teams. The late Kune, didn’t just sit on the sidelines in support, she was the first ever captain of the PNG National Women’s Team, the Lewas from 2006 – 2009. Leading them in their first ever international Cricket match, defeating Japan in Port Moresby, to qualify for the 2008 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in South Africa Kune was an outstanding batter and in most matches led the Lewas batting. One of her teammates, Lucy Ovia recalls “Kune was a good friend both on and off the field from our indoor cricket days. Kune was a pioneer of our game for women, we played on different teams in the first outdoor competition for women, she played for Coasters and was an outstanding player/partner when taking the crease. She was a good friend, a sister, a cricketer, a teammate and a great captain that I will miss dearly.” Locally, the late Kune was captain of the Coasters Women’s Team who won several premierships in Port Moresby. For the opposition, taking her wicket was always a prized target. Off the playing field the late Kune and husband Charles Snr. would always follow their son’s Chris, Colin, and Charles Jnr., scoring, umpiring or just being present to give moral and family support. We will miss her. EMAU and BAMAHUTA CHAMPION!!!

Experienced nurse and midwife Joyce Sap was recently among nine midwives to graduate from a midwifery training course at Port Moresby General Hospital. The course was led by Jane Menke, one of Australia’s Clinical Support Program (CSP) team members based in Port Moresby General Hospital to share skills and knowledge with PNG healthcare workers. The Clinical Support Program (CSP) is an Australian Government initiative that aims to enhance the quality of care at ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae, Port Moresby General Hospital and the University of Papua New Guinea. The CSP is based on a strong demand-driven approach to ensure that the program delivers support in the areas in which the hospitals themselves have identified a need. The three focus areas in this inaugural deployment (June to September 2021) were emergency medicine, infectious diseases (including infection control and prevention) and maternity services. Joyce, who has worked as a midwife in the National Capital District and Central Province for more than ten years, said she found the training course very enriching. “This vital training is very helpful and has greatly added value to our work.” “It has given us a new perspective and helped us to take pride in our work as midwives. We truly appreciate Australian people such as Jane helping us.” Jane is no stranger to Papua New Guinea. She has worked here before and has a great deal of appreciation for the hard work of midwives here. “Throughout the course, I was reminded of the enormous challenges my PNG midwifery sisters have to face every day, and how strong and resilient PNG midwives are to work in these conditions.” Throughout the course, Jane and Joyce developed a close bond. Joyce described Jane as “a very professional midwife who is a lovely trainer and mentor, who really demonstrated her passion for women centred-care throughout the course.” “She has delivered the training with a pure heart to serve.” Jane said she has been inspired by Joyce and the other midwives.” “Joyce is intelligent, well-educated and committed to providing safe and respectful maternity care, - despite all the setbacks encountered in her daily work. She is working towards a leadership role so that she can really make a difference to reducing the high maternal mortality rate in PNG.” Jane wishes to continue her friendship with Joyce and to support more PNG midwives in future. “Now that our relationship is established, I hope to continue to support Joyce and other young, committed midwives throughout this beautiful country of PNG.” Joyce will miss Jane but promised to put the skills she learned in the course into practice. “No matter the pressure we experience in our daily work, women-centred care is essential care, especially for pregnant women. It all starts with me, as a midwife.”