Links
Papua New Guinea Church Partnership
Please visit the Papua New Guinea Church Partnership web site at -- http://hometown.aol.co.uk/pngcpluxton/PNGChurchPartnership.htm
Anglican Health Services in PNG web site -- http://www.ahs-png.org/indexie.html
-- The mission of the Anglican Church Health Service is to improve the physical,
psychological, social and spiritual health and wellbeing of everyone in the
communities we serve, irrespective of religious denomination; clan; status;
age; gender; or ability to pay, and thus reduce the distress and suffering
associated with the current high levels of morbidity and mortality.
While you are looking at Anglican websites please take a look at the Port
Moresby Diocese website. -- http://portmoresby.anglican.org
Kimininga Lodge
Away from the busy centre of Mount Hagen, Kimininga lodge is conveniently
located in a tranquil and peaceful setting, with magnificent mountain views.
Only minutes from town, and eight kilometres from the airport. -- http://www.wampnga.com.pg/kimininga
Scanning
Professional Scanning Services within PNG are offered by ProScan Ltd -- http://www.proscan.com.pg
Milne Bay
The Milne Bay Tourism website can be found at -- http://www.milnebaytourism.gov.pg
-- Discover in Milne Bay the charm and beauty of a peace loving people blessed
in abundance with natural environment of pristine waters and varied landforms,
unique flora and fauna, vibrant cultures and living traditions.
Napatana Lodge - Alotau
Napatana Lodge is the first eco-tourism lodge in Alotau. It is a traditionally
built pole house that has been made from tropical timbers. The lodge reflects
Milne Bay architecture, demonstrating traditional building skills by local
craftsman -- http://www.napatanalodge.com
Masurina Lodge - Alotau
Masurina Lodge is the oldest hotel in Alotau. For many years it was the only
hotel. The website to visit for Masurina Lodge is --http://www.masurina.com
-- and not -- http://www.masurina.com.pg
-- The .com.pg site is a mess when viewed with my version of Internet Explorer
(v6) and virtually unreadable unless I reduced the size of the viewing window.
The straight .com site is much better and is now the official site.
The site is linked to the Marlin 1 dive boat charters website located at --
http://www.marlin1charters.com.au/
-- The Marlin 1 site claims that you can see the best of coastal PNG from
the Safety and Comfort of a well equipped and surveyed live-a-board charter
boat.
PNG Weather
Here are a few sites that will give you an idea of what the weather is like
in PNG.
Port Moresby -- http://my.iwon.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=PPXX0004
Kerema -- http://my.iwon.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=PPXX0001
Kikori -- http://my.iwon.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=PPXX0002
Morobe -- http://my.iwon.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=PPXX0003
Samari -- http://my.iwon.com/weather/obs.jsp?id=PPXX0005
Nationwide Catering
Nationwide Catering (NCS) has a web site located at -- http://www.ncs.com.pg
-- NCS is the Southwest Pacific Region's premier provider of a comprehensive
range of accommodation management, industrial cleaning, janitorial, catering,
laundry and general hospitality services.
News Items
AESOP
AESOP (Australian Expert Service Overseas Program) volunteers are professional
Australians who donate their time and skills towards making meaningful contributions
towards the development of PNG. This is done through training and technical
assistance under the AESOP professional group. AESOP was founded in 1981 and
is based in Canberra Australia.
Dandruff Cure
It has been claimed that a PNG lotion cures dandruff. It is also claimed
that there may be many other cures in the rapidly depleting forests of PNG.
A local researcher from the Kerowagi District of the Simbu province produced
the dandruff lotion from mixing local herbs, fruits and glucose extracted
from bushes in his area. The product was pre-tested on 50 people suffering
from dandruff and within 36 hours the people who tested the product said that
the fungal growth in their heads was killed by the lotion.
Newspapers
For the latest news about PNG visit the Post Courier web site at -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg
-- or the National Newspaper web site at -- http://www.thenational.com.pg
-- both offer up-to-date news about PNG.
NCD Water
An expert in water quality control has declared the quality of the water
in the National Capital District (NCD) healthy. The water in the NCD meets
the standards drinking water guidelines set by the World Health Organisation
and is monitored every day to ensure that it continues to meet those guidelines.
PNG Soccer
Soccer in PNG is expected to move ahead in leaps and bounds thanks to an
ambitious new plan beginning this year. The plan, estimated to cost K500,000
over three years, hopes to improve young players through a more structured
approach. The plan is known as the National Football Development Model. FIFA
have recently funded the construction of a national soccer academy just outside
Lae in Morobe province. A significant role of the development model is to
help identify young talented players and help nurture them.
Education Time Bomb
PNG has an alarming number of students dropping out of the formal education
sector each year, Education statistics indicate that this may be as many as
20,000 students every year. This results in a large number of young people
who are virtually unemployable due to a lack of adequate education.
Electoral Commissioner
The Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, has announced the appointment of
Andrew Trawen as the Electoral Commissioner. The appointment will be for six
years. Mr Trawen has been acting as the Electoral Commissioner since September
2002. Prior to that he was the Deputy Commissioner from 1991 - 2002.
PNG Languages
If you are interested in the languages of PNG then it is worthwhile paying
a visit to -- http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Papua%2BNew%2BGuinea
Languages of PNG
PNG has three National or official languages. They are Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
and English.
The number of languages listed for Papua New Guinea is 832. Of those, 823
are living languages and nine are considered to be extinct.
For information on the languages a visit to -- http://www.sultry.arts.usyd.edu.au/ling/research/papuan2.html
-- will start you off in the right direction. Another interesting article
is located at -- http://www.krysstal.com/langfams.html.--
It deals with language families and mentions the Rotokas language.
Rotokas is spoken in Papua New Guinea on the Island of Bougainville
by approximately 4,300 people and it has the fewest sounds of any language,
11 (compared to the 44 or so of standard English). These 11 are made up of
five vowels and six consonants: A, E, I, O, U, B, G, K, P, R, T. - can you
imagine that - a language with only 11 sounds. Six of those are used in the
name of the language.
It has been reported that PNG has one language for every 900 square kilometres
of the country or roughly one language for every 350 square miles for those
readers who are not familiar with the metric system.
Motor Vehicle Registration
After many years of persevering with a separate Registration and compulsory
third party insurance stickers for motor vehicles the Motor Vehicles Insurance
Limited have combined the two into an all in one combined sticker. The previous
registrations stickers were a transfer decal type and took a little bit of
effort to stick successfully to the windscreen of the vehicle. The new design
is a simple peel off the backing label and affix to the windscreen type.
Cargo Cults
The definition of Cargo Cult can be found at -- http://www.bartleby.com/65/ca/cargocul.html
-- and also at -- http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=20632&tocid=0
More can be found about cargo cults at
-- http://www.anthropologising.ca/writing/carcult.htm
-- http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c79.html
-- http://www.coolth.com/cargo.htm
-- A slide show can be found at -- http://anth.ucalgary.ca/DHatt/Anth473/Cargo.htm
Obura
Remote Obura in the Eastern Highlands province is now linked by road to the
outside world. An official celebration marked the occasion recently. Up until
now the people of Obura have had to walk for a day until they arrive at Aiyura
and then catch a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) to Kainantu or possibly Goroka.
Over 2000 people attended the ceremony. The Evangelical Brotherhood Church
has made its home at Obura station and has provided health and educational
services to the people in the absence of government services..
Coming Events
Depending on when you get to read this newsletter the 4th Annual Forest Investment
Seminar may have already been held on the 17th of March at the Crowne Plaza
in Port Moresby.
Don't forget to look out for the 29th National Fishing competition coming
in April.
Another event coming in May is the annual coffee festival. The fourth festival
will be staged in Goroka, the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province on
the 14th and 15th of May, 2004. The festival, officially titled the PNG Coffee
Festival and Trade Fair, is the most unique social and economic development
event in the Highlands region and provides a direct link between the expatriate
and local business communities.
The National Grassroots Convention will be held in Kokopo East New Britain
Province from the 12th to the 16th of July. It is expected that the opening
of a grass roots bank will be announced at the convention. East New Britain
Governor, Leo Dion, has promised K200,000 toward the opening of the bank.
PNG Jails
Here is a list of jails operating in PNG. From time to time some of these
will be shut down for health reasons and then reopened after renovations.
- Bomana in Port Moresby, NCD also for Central
- Buimo in Lae, Morobe Province
- Baisu in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province
- Keravat in Rabaul, East New Britain Province
- Bui-Iebi in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province
- Bihute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province
- Bundaira in Kainantu, Eastern highlands Province
- Boram in Wewak, East Sepik Province
- Vanimo in Vanimo, West Sandaun province
- Daru in Daru, Western Province
- Ningerum in Kiunga, Western Province
- Beon in Madang, Madang Province
- Barawagi in Kundiawa, Simbu province
- Giligili in Alotau, Milne Bay Province
- Hawa in Tari, Southern Highlands Province
- Wabag in Wabag, Enga Province
- Lakiemata in Kimbe, West New Britain Province
- Kavieng in Kavieng, New Ireland Province
- Manus in Lorengau, Manus Province
Tourism Expo
The tourism expo called "Lukim PNG Nau" held last weekend at the
Holiday Inn in Port Moresby was a success. The main objective of the expo
was to bring together all tour operators so they could present the unique
and diverse tourism products that PNG has to offer. With the decline in the
value of the local currency (Kina) many people are looking at seeing PNG before
travelling overseas. Many overseas visitors already know how wonderful PNG
can be as a tourist attraction but people in PNG do not know about this and
instead many travel overseas often getting little value for their money. It
is hoped that the expo will become a truly one stop shop for residents of
PNG to be able to see what PNG has to offer.
Malaria FAQ's
If you think you have malaria then my suggestion is rather than rely on the
information here see a doctor or a nurse as soon as possible so that a trained
professional can offer the correct treatment after conducting relevant tests
to find out what is really wrong..
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
falciparum malaria
vivax malaria
and (thanks to John Mackerell)
the third species of malaria found in PNG is called malariae malaria (P.
malariae) - basically like vivax but without vivax's persistent liver
stage.
QQQ Of the 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. See
next item on the correct use of artemether or artesunate
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.
For other FAQ's about PNG please pay a visit to http://www.michie.net/png_faqs
-- if you know an answer to a FAQ or find and answer that is wrong then please
send email to have it added or corrected.
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"
Communication Companies
More PNG FAQ's
What is the land area of the provinces in PNG?
- National Capital and Central, 29940 sq kms
- Oro Province, 19827 sq kms
- Milne Bay Province, 14000 sq kms
- Morobe Province, 34,500 sq kms
- Madang Province, 28000 sq kms
- Eastern Highlands, 11706 sq kms
- Simbu Province, 8476 sq kms
- Western Highlands, 8288 sq kms
- Southern Highlands, 25988 sq kms
- East Sepik, 43000 sq kms West Sepik (Sandaun),36000 sq kms
- East New Britain, 15500 sq kms
- West New Britain, 21000 sq kms
- New Ireland, 9500 sq kms
- Manus Province, 2100 sq kms
- North Solomons Province, 9400 sq kms
- Enga Province, 10790 sq kms
- Western and Gulf Province, 135,000 sq kms
More PNG Frequently Asked Question can be found at -- http://www.michie.net/png_faqs
Taklam Guest House
For anyone visiting East New Britain and recommend staying at Taklam Guesthouse.
They have recently added seven executive beach bungalows in the heart of Kokopo
town. Sliding doors open directly onto a verandah, which face the sea and
a scenic view of the volcanoes at Rabaul. -- http://www.taklam.com.pg
PNG Media
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