The Gordon’s Clinic here in the Nation’s Capital closed its doors on Monday morning due to the election violence related incidents that escalated around the area. According to Nursing Officer for Family Planning Sister Edna Ratu, the clinic had to close down its services because of the fighting going on at Gordons. “Even though people lined up as early as 6am in the morning to get checked, we had to send them home around 8:30am due to the situation.” Sister Ratu added that, the entire staff were sent home as well. "We are waiting for further directives from their clinic manager whether to resume duties tomorrow or not." In the mean time, Sister Ratu is appealing to the general public to keep safe at this time and also avoid getting sick as there are many election violence related incidents happening in our city.

The Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra today issued a nationwide circular to all principals of secondary schools, and schools of excellence, as well as provincial education advisors advising of changes in the National Examination, dates for the 2022 Grade 12 Written Expression Examination. As per the Education Calendar 2022, the Grade 12 Written Expression examination is scheduled for Monday 1st August 2022 and all materials relating to the exam have already been dispatched to the respective schools in the country following normal procedures. In accordance with the existing schedule, all Grade 12 schools were expected to distribute the reading booklets to students at 8 am on Monday the 25tth of July, and the exam itself is timed for Monday 1st August 2022. Given the actual situations relating to the ongoing National Elections counting process, several schools and p4rovinces are in need of a deferral of the examination date for the students and schools to settle and have a conducive environment for students to sit the examination. Dr. Kombra further stated that as a result, the Grade 12 Written Expression examination is postponed by 2 weeks to Monday the 15th of August 2022. Meanwhile, in light of the current situation in the Nation’s Capital Dr. Kombra added that all NCD schools are suspended for the rest of this week, to resume classes next Monday 1st August 2022.

This news just in! All NCD schools are suspended for the rest of this week, to resume classes next Monday 1st August 2022. That’s from Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra. Grade 12 exams dates have been changed. The Written Expression exam scheduled for Monday 1st August is now deferred to Monday 15th August 2022. Keep listening to the news on NAU FM, Yumi FM & Legend FM & follow our news website pnghausbung.com for more on this story.

The new Kairuku Open seat has started counting after midday yesterday after resolving the matter of scrutineers per candidate to be present in the counting venue during counting time. The Returning Officer (RO) Mr. Henry Oa said they agreed on having scrutineers inside the counting venue, but one at a time. “Two come in, one sits outside while the other goes in. When the one inside wants to take a break, then he comes out and other takes his place,” explained Mr. Oa. Mr. Oa said about 50 ballot boxes; 25 for the Kairuku Open seat and 25 for Central Regional seat will be counted. “We just got two boxes in, and we start with the boxes from the Kuni LLG (Local Level Government). So, we brought Kuni’s boxes in, open them up and do the counting.” Meanwhile, earlier during the day the counting officials and scrutineers were briefed on the basic procedures and rules observed during counting. The RO also told them to perform professionally and set a good example for other counting venues to follow. All the counting will take place at the Murray Barracks gymnasium in Port Moresby city.

The 2022 UPNG Oro Students Association are set to host their major end of the year fundraiser which is the “Oro Night” that’s set for the 19th August at the Cosmopolitan. According to Micah Betute the Association President, all funds raised will go towards their end of year Educational awareness programs back in the province. “All funds raised during the night will go towards their end of year educational awareness program and other programs for the association, says Betuet.” He added that, they are doing this because the number of students passing to tertiary institutions has significantly dropped with approximately 10 students making it to UPNG since 2019 and only 3 students making it to UPNG for this year alone. “We want to go back to the province and help motivate the young student’s especially the ones in high school and those that have completed Grd12 about what comes after high school and to better themselves in their academic work to reach greater heights, says Betuet.” Tickets will be available on the 21st of this month and will be going for K50. The night will also see the province’s finest artist Mr Allen Lee Herove aka Saugas blasts his oldie numbers along with a couple of new hits.

Kerema Provincial Hospital in Gulf Province is facing critical state with most of its medical services shut down since COVID-19 landed in the country. Most of the services closed since the pandemic, and doctors and all the cardiac health workers at the Kerema Provincial Hospital who are on Gulf PHA pay-roll are currently working at the Port Moresby General Hospital. According to Gulf Provincial Deputy Director Public Health Mr Ben Bal, since the appointment of the new Acting CEO for the Kerema Provincial Hospital in the Gulf Province, the situation at the Hospital has worsened and services dropping dropped significantly. “No changes have been made and the situation has gone from bad to worse. The wards are currently closed, the laboratory services are closed, the X-Ray services are closed, and doctor’s consultation services are also closed, as well as the In-patient services," said Mr. Bal. He said, this is because the hospital does not have any “Health Plan” and a “Board Committee” and a few of the workers in the province go to work whenever they want to. The Kerema Provincial Referral Hospital has lost its stage from being in that level to a day-like-clinic now. The situation and issues faced at the hospital is very critical and no one is doing anything about it. “There is no control and command in place at the Kerema Provincial Hospital, said Bal.” In-patient treatment at the Kerema Provincial Hospital are all sent into the city to seek proper medical attention at the Port Moresby General Hospital. Mr Bal said, everyday they have ambulances running to Port Moresby due to no in-patient services because all the wards are closed and they are no longer admitting patients. “Those that need admissions are kept at the out-patient ward for a day or two and taken to Port Moresby, said Bal.” Mr Bal added that, the Gulf PHA is aware of the current issue but is not doing anything to address this issue. He said the hospital is totally run-down and has dropped in its standards from being a “Level 5 Hospital” to more of a “Day-Clinic” now. Meanwhile, patients seeking medical treatment only receive basic medical treatment at the out-patient ward and are sent home. Mr Bal said, this is because the hospital faces a lot of basic medical drug shortages all the time and there’s not enough workers to tend to all patients at once. “Most of them are sent home without proper medical consultation and treatment which is very unethical, said Mr Bal.”  

"Friends of POMGEN” (FOPG) is a registered charitable entity, ratified by the Board of POMGEN to support the Port Moresby General Hospital’s mission to become a self-sustainable model for public health facilities in PNG. According to the FOPG’s Operations Coordinator Grace Roland, the recent appeal that was sent out is a call out from one of the social worker that worked in the pediatric ward to FOPG to help assist with the appeal on the FOPG’s Facebook page to get the support from individuals, communities and business houses, basically to help the children. “The assistance needed is basically to help children from newborns to 13 year olds who need basic things that parents are financially unable at the moment to provide for their children", says Roland. ” Some of the items listed below are what these children need for those who are interested to donate. All donations can be delivered at the POMGEN children’s pediatric ward or FOPG’s office near SUSU’s area. • Diapers • Water Bottles • Fruits • Infant Milk (S26) • New Clothes (new and used) • Bath & Laundry Soap • Washing Detergent • Toilet papers   She added that, sometimes the staff, nurses or doctors go out of their personal ways to make ends-meet by providing at least something for this patients. “We are doing what we can to help despite whatever circumstances we go through, says Roland. ” In cases where POMGEN really needs support from FOPG in such cases like this or others like the “Children’s Cancer Ward” refurbishment, FOPG basically extends another hand of support for the hospital to do their job.

The NCD Schools Rugby League competition for Round 4 last Weekend have been suspended indefinitely. According to NCD Schools Rugby League Association President Arnold Gende, this is due to non-school affiliation by a good number of schools and also player registrations. He added that, they have informed respective school teachers/coaches and team Managers to submit the four documents required to the Association for players to be able to take part but this has not happened yet. This has caused the President to suspend the competition for an indefinite period of time. “All schools taking part in the competition must provide four documentations to the Association heads in order for their schools to continue to take part, says Gende.” The four required documents includes the school affiliation, two is the player registration of K30.00 attached with the term 1 report, three is the players profile (“My Sideline”) and forth is the player’s summary for each division. Mr Gende says, they will continue its competitions only when the first six schools send in their documentations. “Gende says, 27 schools have partly affiliated but have not met the full requirements. Player registrations which includes parents’ consent, medical report and K30 registration receipts that should be attached with the registration form and “My Sideline” report.” Meanwhile, the competition has seen a rise in the female teams taking part. Gende says, so far the competition has been good since round 1 of the completion with an influx of students especially girls joining the competition. He is calling on the school sports teachers/coaches and team managers to continue to assist these students as it is one way of disciplining them through this platform. He further emphasized on the school Term1 report as it is really important. “This is really important because we want to ensure that every student taking part in the NCD schools rugby league competition must also perform highly in their academic studies. If not, they will be cut out until they improve academically.” Mr Gende also thanked all the parents for assisting their kids by taking them for their games, especially the girls who are participating now which is really encouraging to see females taking part in a male dominant sport.

Condom awareness programs in PNG continue to remain a public health concern. Majority of the country’s population live below the poverty line with low literacy levels. Lack of knowledge of condom use and availability is worrisome especially for the sexually active population. Three districts in Central have already begun distribution of condoms for the 2022 National General Elections. According to Central HIV/AIDS Provincial Coordinator Mr Gairo Kapana, out of the 5 districts in the province, Rigo, Abau and Kairuku districts have already received their boxes of condoms to be distributed at the polling areas. “A total of 15 boxes of condoms (10 boxes of Male condoms and 5 boxes of Female condoms) were given to be distributed accordingly by all district coordinators to the 5 districts in the province. Each district will receive 2 male boxes of condoms and 1 female box of condom each, says Mr Kapana.” Since the month of January, Central province has seen 133 new cases of HIV/AIDS from their 24 sites in the 5 districts in the province. “He says, awareness is on-going and messages are given to the people but it’s always up to them to take it or live it.” He is also urging his people to be very careful during this peak period as they are expecting to see an increase in the number of cases.

Florence Matagede from Salamaua in the Huon Gulf District of Morobe and husband Christopher Napoleon from Alotau are in desperate need for financial assistance to go towards their 5 year old daughter’s medical appeal. According to Florence, Joana currently has a swollen lump from what used to be a blood clot that formed above her right eye. “When Joana was born, the village mid-wife who helped deliver Joana accidently dropped her which caused the swelling on her right eye that stayed with her after birth until now, says Florence.” They were advised by doctors from Angau Hospital in Lae to wait until Joana turns 7 or 8 years old before they could clean out the blood clot but due to her eye getting swollen each day, they are seeking any form of assistance now to quickly help out their child. Florence is currently in Port Moresby while Joana is in Alotau with her father waiting for financial assistance to seek medical attention. According to Florence, she came to Port Moresby last month to seek financial assistance from the general public to go back and help her daughter out, but she is also facing financial problems to make her way back to her family to help little Joana out. With her the swelling getting bigger each day, her mother is appealing to the general public to help assist in any way to seek medical attention as soon as possible. She added that, they have not opened any medical appeal account yet, but those who wish to donate can call her up on 71970986 for more information.

The 20 female students from the PNG University of Technology (PNGUOT) who were caught in a recent raid attack by thefts have been moved to a safer location. According to PNGUOT Vice Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi, the incident happened last Thursday night at the Rainforest Guest House. Dr Renagi said, the 20 female students were accommodated by the institute to stay there because the Institute’s female dormitories were full. “We provided accommodation for the 20 female students at the Rain Forest Guest House because all the female dorms were full. The guest house is near the school staff houses and we also provided full-on security service for the girls," Dr Renagi said. He said, the thieves stormed through the doors and stole mobile phones and laptops belonging to the female students. “One female student sustained a head injury after she refused to hand over her phone and computer to the thieves. She was sent to the hospital to get treated for the injury and is recovering back at school,” Mr Renagi advised. The police were alerted and attended to the incident after the alarm was raised. VC Dr Renagi said, they are yet to receive a report from the University security. Meanwhile, the girls presented a petition last Friday that was received by the VC to address the relocation of accommodation and also a list of items stolen. Dr Renagi stated that they have already relocated two girls each to vacant staff houses along with two security guards posted at each house.

With the proposed infrastructure plans to NDOH to address some of the issues faced at the Western Highlands Provincial health centres and clinics, the provincial CEO says they are waiting on funds to come in before they commence ground works. Western Highlands PHA CEO Ms Jane Holden says they have sent a K10million proposal to NDOH and are still waiting for a response from them to open up new operating theatres for Mt Hagen General Hospital. Meanwhile, since the start of nominations last week Thursday the 19th of May 2022, there were no major accidents or violence related incidents reported at the health centres or clinics. Ms Holden said, there were only minor incidents but nothing serious. She also stated that they have received a few covid cases but have recovered and since the month of January, they have only recorded 1 Covid related death, which brings the tally up to 16 deaths in total for the province now.