Links
Superannuation Funds
The Association of Superannuation Funds PNG (ASFPNG) has a website located
at -- http://www.asfpng.org.pg -- ASFPNG
is an industry body established in 2002 by interested industry participants
with the common goal to protect superannuants retirement savings within a
regulated environment whilst fostering a competitive industry.
Milne Bay
Milne Bay Tourism Bureau -- http://www.milnebaytourism.gov.pg
Kaikuali Theatre Dance Group -- http://www.jupacami.net/adventures/png/kaikuali.htm
Masurina Lodge -- http://www.masurina.com.pg/
-- unfortunately this page did not render correctly on my PC so I was unable
to view it correctly. Give it a try - it may be okay for you.
Napatana Lodge -- http://www.napatanalodge.com/
-- Napatana Lodge is the first eco-tourism lodge in Alotau. Napatana is a
traditionally built pole house that has been made from tropical timbers.
Alotau International Hotel -- http://www.airwayshotels.com/Alotau/homePage.html
-- Part of the Airways Group -- http://www.airwayshotels.com
Walk from Alotau to Dogura (Wamira village) -- A walk along the Milne Bay
Coast -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/wamira.html
Milne Bay Estates -- http://www.mbe.com.pg
News Items
2004 Budget
The 2004 budget has been handed down by Parliament initial reaction is that
it has no major surprises. A two percent (2%) levy on all imports is seen
as being a worry for exporters as it will increase the cost of much of the
raw materials imported and made into exportable items. It will also increase
the price of goods on the shelves for local purchasers. Politicians will get
an extra K100,000 on top of the existing K500,000 to spend as they choose
on their electorates.
Smokers, gamblers and drinkers get a win. Excise duty on alcohol and tobacco
products has been frozen until December 2004. From then a tax indexed at 2.5
percent will be imposed every six months.. Poker and gaming machine excise
duty has been lowered from 170 percent to 50 percent for 2004. It looks like
the government is keen to get the vote from this group of people.
PMGH
Thanks to the combined efforts of Oil Search, the Port Moresby General Hospital
and the Badili Club children in Ward 2B at the Hospital can now enjoy brand
new showers without fear of the sewerage spilling into the ward. Oil Search
donated K30,000 towards the renovation of the showers and toilets used by
the wards.
PMGH Labour Ward
A friend about to give birth recently was told by the Labour Ward at the
Port Moresby General Hospital that she had to bring along her own basic medical
necessities such as gloves, hypodermic syringes, oxytocin and sanitary pads.
She chose to go to one of the private clinics and gave birth to a healthy
baby boy there. Lady Carol Kidu was shocked to find out about the problem
and contacted the Inner Wheel for help. The Inner Wheel is made up of wives
of Rotarians and City Pharmacy. They have been able to round up gloves, hypodermic
syringes, sanitary pads and 2000 bottles of oxytocin used to prevent excessive
bleeding after delivery and have them delivered to the ward.
Vanilla Theft
Four Air Niugini cargo handlers are facing court action after the disappearance
of vanilla destined for export overseas. Approximately K98,000 worth of vanilla
went missing on its way to Europe.
Bogia
The MP for Bogia, John Hickey, has distributed one million cocoa polyton
bags and 20,000 vanilla cuttings to villagers in his electorate. More than
80 villagers have completed a two-week cocoa and vanilla training workshop
conducted recently at Goimban Village, Ramu. Participants are confident of
being able to grow their own vanilla and cocoa after the training course.
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQ What is the most common disease in PNG?
AAA Malaria is the most common disease and the second leading cause
of death in PNG hospitals. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death.
QQQ What are the various types of malaria found in PNG?
AAA There are four types of malaria found in the world that can affect
humans but only three types are found in PNG
They are falciparum malaria, vivax malaria and thanks to John Mackerell who
has advised that there is a third species of malaria found in PNG called malariae
malaria (P. malariae) - basically like vivax but without vivax's persistent
liver stage.
QQQ Of the two types of malaria found in PNG which one is the most
dangerous?
AAA falciparum malaria is the most serious. If not treated falciparum
malaria may result in shock, kidney and liver failure, coma and death. Death
is often due to clogging of the small blood vessels in vital organs by the
malaria-infected blood cells.
QQQ What is the less life-threatening malaria found in PNG?
AAA vivax malaria is generally not life threatening, but deaths may
occur in young children, very old people and in people already weakened by
another disease.
QQQ Where is malaria found in PNG?
AAA Malaria is generally found at altitudes lower than 1,600 metres.
The temperature above this altitude restricts mosquito and parasite growth.
As a result of increased travel, malaria does occur in some of the highlands
valleys.
QQQ How is malaria spread?
AAA Malaria is spread by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. These
mosquitos almost exclusively bite at dusk and during the night. Daytime mosquitoes
are usually not carriers of malaria.
QQQ What are the drugs used to treat malaria?
AAA The drugs used are dangerous and should only be taken under medical
supervision. Chloroquine, Fansidar, artesunate / artemether and primaquine.
No drug or combination of drugs is completely effective in all people.
QQQ How can I protect myself against malaria?
AAA Prevention of being bitten by an infected mosquito is important
but nor perfect. Added protection from malaria is possible by taking anti-malarial
drugs. Taking drugs before becoming sick, to prevent disease from developing
is called prophylaxis. A prophylactic drug is supposed to prevent or suppress
the disease even if bitten by an infected mosquito.
Malaria Treatment
Steve Bjorge has advised the following on the use of artemether or artesunate
for the treatment of malaria, it is important that people understand that
artemether or artesunate used alone may not cure the malaria infection. The
NDOH recommended treatment is artemether or artesunate (they are closely related
compounds) taken daily for 7 days IN COMBINATION with a single dose of Fansidar
(for an adult, 3 tablets). The artesunate/artemether drugs are very effective
in knocking down the parasite biomass in the blood and thus reducing the fever,
but they still can fail to knock out every last parasite. Studies have shown
up to a 50% recrudescence rate after 5 days of artesunate/artemether, and
a 5% recrudescence rate after 7 days of artesunate/artemether (i.e. less than
100%).
Note: According to http://www.dictionary.com/
-- re·cru·desce means "to break out anew or come into renewed
activity, as after a period of quiescence" and recrudescence means "a
return of something after a period of abatement" - "a recrudescence
of malaria"
Governor General
The Supreme Court has declared the election of Sir Albert Kipalan as Governor
General void. Fresh elections have been called for on the 2nd of December
next week. The correct procedures to elect a Governor General were not followed
by the Clerk of Parliament. Sir Albert said he was confident of being elected
in any fresh election. The previous Governor General, Sir Silas Atopare, has
already vacated the position and official residence.
Air Niugini
Just as Air Niugini gets back on its feet several airports were closed earlier
this week to F28 operations. Madang and Mount Hagen were both closed to F28
jet operations due to the failure of the Civil Aviation Authority to maintain
vital navigational aids. The Civil Aviation Authority has now reopened both
airports to F28 operations after emergency maintenance work this week by their
workers.
Paradise Magazine
The new release of the Air Niugini in flight magazine "Paradise"
labelled Volume 1 2003 has finally hit Port Moresby. The release was delayed
due to recent problems with the Boeing 767 aircraft. This meant that there
was no space available for company freight on the sector from Brisbane to
Port Moresby. The plane was booked solid with a backlog of commercial freight.
The new magazine has been published by Islands Business International based
in Suva, Fiji and is delivered to Brisbane for on forwarding on Air Niugini
services.
Fokker F28 Aircraft
Air Niugini is attempting to locate a replacement for the aging Fokker F28
aircraft that it currently uses for domestic flights and a twice-daily service
to Cairns Australia. I recently came across a Post Courier newspaper article
detailing plans by the late Sir Iambakey Okuk to replace the F8's in October
1980. 23 years on and the planes are still flying. Maybe that was the trouble
with the aircraft - too darn reliable and then parts became too expensive
when the airline had no money to replace the fleet. If they had been troublesome
they would have been replaced ages ago before the price and availability of
spares became a major problem in the running of the aircraft. If you are interested
part of the newspaper item can be located at the bottom of this newsletter.
Fish Farming
Coffee is a better-known product to come out of the Banz area of the Wahgi
Valley but now other activities are also becoming a money-spinner for the
population. Fish farming has gained momentum in the past few years. The two
most popular species that people are farming are trout and carp. Another money-spinner
for the people of Banz in the Western Highlands is insect farming with the
majority of insect being butterflies bred for export to the United States.
Ban Gambling
The women from Yalu and other surrounding villages in Lae have petitioned
the Social Welfare and Development Minister, Lady Carol Kidu, to ban gambling
and restrict the sale of alcohol. Alcohol is seen as a major factor in family
family. The petition also called for the banning of all forms of gambling
including bookmakers and poker machines.
Media Freedom
The State Enterprises and Information Minister, Arthur Somare, has made an
assurance to the PNG Media Council that the government led by his father had
no intention of regulating the media. This follows on from the recent call
made buy the Deputy Prime Minister and several other politicians to have laws
made to regulate the media in PNG.
Motor Vehicle Hospital
The hospital built by the Motor Vehicle Insurance Trust at the back of the
Port Moresby General Hospital is still unoccupied. despite being finished
years ago. The only occupants of the hospital are security guards paid to
look after the place. Does anyone know of what is to happen to this building?
It appears that it will rot before it is occupied.
Capital Punishment
Lady Carol Kidu said that "rights must be balanced by the responsibility
to respect the rights of others" when talking about fast tracking hanging
for the worst criminal offenders. She said that anonymous solders could carry
out the function, as it was not a function of the Police or Correctional Services.
She called on the introduction of a rapid response mechanism similar to the
existing police rapid response unit. Her call follows the brutal murder of
a nine-year-old schoolgirl after she was abducted and raped recently.
Travel Advice
The Australian Government has the following advice for Australian's resident
in PNG -- http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Papua_New_Guinea
-- This is part of the effort being made by the Australian Government to better
educate Australian's living or travelling overseas. I recommend a visit to
the special web site located at -- http://smartraveller.gov.au
-- even if you are not an Aussie.
Aussie Army
The Australian Defence Force is red faced after soldiers were discovered
dumping used batteries in a village garden. The Army has apologised to PNG
and the villagers and removed the dumped batteries and made them ready to
ship back to Australia for disposal. Two soldiers who used their initiative
to dispose of the batteries are believed to have been reprimanded over the
incident.
Moresby Robbery
Another robbery has taken place in Port Moresby with the criminals dressed
up as heavily armed policemen. This would appear to be another case of the
criminals doing their Christmas shopping early. The robbery took place around
midday when the robbers held up staff at the Zucci Mode store in Gordons.
Shots were fired into the air during the robbery and two hostages taken were
later released in a nearby suburb unharmed but shaken.
Gold Production
New Guinea Gold Limited hope to be able to pour its first gold from its Sinivit
mine project by the end of 2004. Sinivit, formerly known as Wild Dog will
also move its two gold mines on Normanby Island in the Milne Bay Province
into full production in 2005 and 2006. It is hoped that the Sinivit project
will be able to produce up to 40,000 ounces of gold per year.
Parliamentary Speaker
The Speaker of Parliament is under the scrutiny of the Ombudsman Commission
for taking a trip to Mexico. The Commission attempted to stop him from travelling
by issuing orders to Air Niugini and Qantas to not let him travel.
Baked Sweet Potato
3 Cups mashed sweet potato or Kau Kau
3 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons finely sliced onions
3 eggs
Half-teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon milk
salt and pepper to taste.
After mashing the cooked sweet potato, mix in the butter, onion, milk, cinnamon,
salt and pepper.
Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
Beat them separately.
Fold the egg yolks into the mashed potato followed by the egg whites.
Place mixture in a greased baking dish.
Brush the top with butter and bake in the oven with the dish placed in a pan
of water for 35 to 40 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius. (325 degrees Fahrenheit)
Nasfund
The Managing Director of the Nasfund has said that the fund hopes to more
than double its assets by 2008. This would mean that the fund would have more
than K1 billion in assets. This is a key objective of the fund's vision for
the next four years. Four years ago the forerunner of the Nasfund - the National
Provident fund only had assets of K125 million and was in severe financial
trouble. -- http://www.nasfund.com.pg
The Drum
The famous Post Courier Column "The Drum" has been in the electronic
age for sometime now. For all of those people who are familiar with The Drum
you can now email titbits of gossip to thedrum@spp.com.pg
or you can still send a facsimile message to +675 320-1781. For those not
familiar with The Drum then I suggest taking a look at the Post Courier website
located at http://www.postcourier.com.pg
and follow your nose to "The Drum".
An Interesting Newspaper Item
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Air Niugini is still attempting to replace its fleet of F28 aircraft 23 years
after this newspper article.
PNG Media
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