Routine Immunization is everybody’s responsibility! As the country aims to reach the immunization coverage target of 65% by the end of this year, the National Health Department, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other donor partners this week launched the Routine Immunization Took Kit to educate more Papua New Guineans on the importance of immunization and to also, bring the coverage rates up. National Department of Health Secretary Dr. Osborne Liko stated that Immunization is one of the most beneficial and cost-effective public health interventions available and is a key to primary health care: saving lives from vaccine preventable communicable diseases that affect primarily children. Therefore, immunization service provision is one of the most important preventive health activities conducted by the National Department of Health. “Papua New Guinea has faced the challenge of suboptimal Routine Immunization (RI) coverage for too long.” “The fact that only 50% of our children received the essential vaccines last five years is a matter of great concern.” “It is imperative that we recognize the barriers that have led to this situation and collectively work towards overcoming them.” “However, despite these challenges, we must also acknowledge the progress we have made in immunization.” Measles Rubella, Polio and Vitamin A campaign conducted last year reached about a million children below 5 years of age with these essential vaccines and Vitamin A, which is 71% of the total children below 5 years of age. “With the support of partners, we were able to expand cold chain to over 92% of health facilities (800+ HFs) and we used real time reporting of MR campaign through use of mobile application from all provinces.” Additional vaccination drives are planned in 2024 to reach missed children with routine vaccines. Child Health Record Book (CHRB) has been updated and 600,000 copies have been printed for distribution nationally, so that these are available to end user free of charge, which will further facilitate efforts to improve routine immunization. NDoH Acting Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Manger Martha Pogo, said with the aim to reach the coverage rate of 65% by this year, the country should have targets to archive to measure the team’s performance in immunization to see if they are lacking behind or on target. “So, by 2030, we should have a coverage rate of 80%.” “Now we are in year 2024 and we should be 65% but we are currently at 40% so that means we are behind.” She said that, with the launch of the Routine Immunization Tool Kit, this will be the key tool to help them advocate and roll out the routine immunization program. Parents and care givers are the target population that need to be educated in order for the child to be vaccinated. “Many parents believe in differing norms and don’t get to see that immunization saves lives, and we are talking about our kids here, and that needs to be addressed so that parents and care givers bring their kids in for immunization.” The tool kit covers a range of items which includes, a new Child Health Record Book, vest, shirt, bag, umbrella to advocate the importance of immunization.

The 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Football Conference successfully ended on Monday 5th February in Port Moresby with an intense 2 days of NRL education and assessment delivered by Matt Harrison of AFS Group, which resulted in the candidates receiving the first ever Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNG RFL) Sports Medical Trainer accreditation. This demonstrates the importance of game administration and our clubs’ commitment to players’ safety and their wellbeing. The conference opened with Franchise Managers participating in a 2-day workshop focusing on commercial opportunities, financial reporting, shared standards setting, compliance, governance, player safety and player welfare and policy improvements. The Head Coaches Conference from February 2nd - 3rd was facilitated by Joe Grima, Manager of High-Performance Coaching, to educate coaches on how to utilize technical and tactical coaching, the game analysis system, standard setting, pathway development and live coaching which included observing the Hunters’ interclub trial match on Saturday. “I am really pleased that the recent two-day Digicel ExxonMobil Cup coaching workshop was highly successful, with enthusiastic engagement from our coaching staff.”   The provided materials, coupled with follow-up opportunities, promise a lasting impact on the PNG coaching program. Our coaches' commitment reflects a dedication to continuous improvement within our game in PNG, especially pleasing if we become the NRL 18th Team,” Grima said. The purposefully designed conference provided the clubs with the greatest opportunities to prepare for the 2024 season and encourage club professionalism. Mr Tony Archer, Competition Governance Manager, said, “This conference is a demonstration of the importance and investment that the game is making in driving club professionalism in our competition to improve the standards.” “This is the first step in ensuring that we work closely with our clubs, develop the skills and opportunities for all within the game.” “We place players’ safety, coach development, and strong franchises at the forefront of our ambition to achieve club professionalism in our Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition in 2024.” “Our clubs have been provided with education and tools that are equivalent to the NRL.” Meanwhile PNGFRL CEO Mr Stanley Hondina said, PNGRFL is constantly striving to improve the standards of the game across the country. “This conference is a part of how we provide opportunities for those in rugby league to improve as coaches and managers, but also as people.” “We are focused on family and the community, that we will provide our players a safe environment through training.” “The large infrastructure investment in game analysis, medical infrastructure and improving the sustainability and strength of our clubs links directly with our strategic objectives.”

The Divine Word University has kick started registrations for the 2024 academic year on Monday 5th February at the Madang Campus. Divine Word University President Father (Fr) Philip Gibbs, emphasized the importance of registering to become part of the university and how students can actively participate because of their commitment. “You are making a commitment that for a certain time you will commit yourself to something. Today we start registration for 2024 at DWU.” “By putting your names and paying fees you are committing yourselves to the next four or five years and the University by accepting their names and their fees is committing itself to you,” Fr Gibbs said. Vice President Academic Affairs, Prof Iwona Kolodziejczyk in welcoming the students said the academic journey they are about to start with the registration marks a significant chapter in their lives, one that is laden with opportunities for intellectual exploration, personal development, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills. She said the university experience is not merely about acquiring information, however, it is about fostering a deep understanding of diverse subjects, honing analytical abilities, and embracing the challenges that accompany intellectual inquiry. “Throughout this academic year, our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing you with a rich and engaging learning environment.” “Our rigorous curricula are designed to challenge and inspire, encouraging you to push the boundaries of your understanding and think critically about the world around you,” Prof Iwona said. “As you embark on this academic endeavor, remember that success is not solely measured by grades, but by the depth of your engagement with the material you will study, your commitment to collaboration, and your resilience in the face of academic challenges.” We encourage you to make the most of your time here, both inside and outside the lecture room.” She encouraged students to get involved in student organizations, engage in research, participate in extracurricular activities, and take advantage of the numerous resources available. The registration will run from 5th to 9th February with the launching of the Academic year on Friday.

A joyous moment for students and teachers of Vula’a Rivilina Elementary School in the Hula village, Rigo District of Central province after receiving their newly built double classroom donated by John Swire & Sons Ltd (Swire) through the Swire Philanthropic Fund. John Swire & Sons Ltd is a privately held company with a long association with PNG through its shipping arm, Swire Shipping, and for the last 50 years as a major shareholder in flag-carrying local conglomerate, Steamships Trading Company Ltd. Finance Director of Steamships, Michael Scantlebury, shared that this project was a collaboration between Steamships staff and concerned members of Hula Village. “Steamships has a long-standing relationship with the Hula Community which formed out of our staff regularly visiting this area for kite boarding. Through this recreational activity, we learned of the plight of this school. This began conversations to explore options for how we could contribute towards the school’s redevelopment. Eventually our proposal was supported by Swire, who asked Steamships to lead the delivery of the project on their behalf.” Months of community engagement and planning were followed by building construction which started in November 2023 and completed on 31 December. In accepting the keys to the new classroom, Kilavigi Ruga the School Board Representative of Vula’a Rivilina Elementary School thanked Steamships and Swire for recognising the need within the community. “For many years, we’ve experienced funding challenges to carry out the repair and maintenance of our school classroom, but out of that difficulty, we’ve received this blessing. The partnership with Swire and Steamships enabled us to implement the changes required since the education restructure and improve our school facilities for the benefit of our children.” The total project value is K250, 000 which covers a rural double classroom with teachers’ office space in between, 30 students’ desks, 2 teachers’ desks, chairs and shelves, blackboards and pin boards and freight, cartage and building contractor costs. Vula’a Rivilina Elementary School is the first beneficiary of the Swire Education Infrastructure Programme (SEIP) fully funded by Swire and implemented by Steamships. The objective of the programme is to provide access to basic education for school communities in PNG through the provision of education infrastructure. This programme aligns to the major outcome areas of the National Education Plan 2021-2029 supporting the government’s agenda to provide adequate school infrastructure to cater for the education structure change and infrastructure providing environments that are conducive to learning.

In the wake of Queensland legend Cameron Smith's decision to step down from his role as an assistant with the Maroons, head coach Billy Slater has paid tribute to what he believes is an unmatched contribution to the Origin side. After playing a record 42 games for the state representative side between 2003-17, Smith helped mastermind Queensland's back-to-back series victories over the past two years as Slater's right-hand man. Across 48 games as both a player and assistant coach, Smith enjoyed a remarkable 62.5 percent winning rate over New South Wales, experiencing victory in 13 of the 17 series he was involved in. Slater said Smith has created an unparalleled legacy with the Maroons. “I don’t know if there’s anyone who has contributed more to the Queensland Origin team than Cam Smith,” Slater said. “I’m extremely grateful for his contribution over the last two series. He’s done an incredible job which I’ve seen first hand inside the camp with all the players and coaching staff.” Smith, who is departing in order to focus on a new grassroots coaching role with Queensland club side the Currumbin Eagles, said he was grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the Origin arena as both a player and coach. “I was lucky enough to represent the jersey many times, but to experience it from a different lens as a coach, and being able to watch this new generation play the way they did and represent the state in the manner in which they did, was highly rewarding," Smith said. “It’s been a fantastic two series working with quality players. They’re quality people to work with and they’ve certainly helped me as a rookie assistant coach." Former Maroons representative Matt Ballin will assume Smith's role for the 2024 Ampol State of Origin Series, having previously worked with the side on game days and coached the Queensland U-19 team. Source: NRL Com

The Health Minister Dr. Lino Tom recently announced the government’s commitment to co-host the Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance- APLMA on 6-7th of June in Port Moresby city. “Hosting the Leaders’ Summit will be a timely opportunity for countries in the Asia Pacific Region to share its achievements, renew political will and address challenges to achieving elimination by 2030,” said Dr. Tom. This high-level forum will be aligned under Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) Vision 2050 as well as the theme for the National Health Plan 2021-2030: Leaving no-one behind is everybody’s business. Happening for the first time in Melanesia, the upcoming Leaders’ Summit expects Heads of States, Ministers of Health form PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji, and global partners, private sector and local leaders to participate in Port Moresby to ensure leadership commitment, sustainable investment and community empowerment towards malaria elimination. The Leaders' Summit will be held over 2 days, with the first day focused on high-level political commitments to malaria elimination followed by a second day of partner meetings and technical discussions. Dr. Sarthak Das, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance said that this high-level forum marks PNG's commitment to saving lives by eliminating malaria as well as taking a leadership role in supporting local communities and forging regional health partnerships. Despite huge progress over the last two decades, the Asia Pacific region continues to report millions of malaria cases. In 2022, PNG reported 899, 510 malaria cases — a 38% increase from 651, 963 cases reported in 2021. With just 7 years remaining to achieve the global goal of ending malaria, the Leaders’ Summit will be a key milestone for leaders within PNG and the Asia Pacific region to unite and make plans towards a malaria-free future. The Health Minister further stated that, the National Department of Health is committed in providing full cooperation to ensure the success of this important gathering.

The Broncos NRL squad’s meeting with Tom Brady and an all-time touchdown clutch catch from the NFL legend to Broncos sensation Reece Walsh has gone viral, a month out from the NRL’s historic season opener in Vegas. The full squad, NRLW stars and key football and club personnel met and were photographed with Brady before his speaking event in Brisbane, as part of an exclusive brand promotional partnership, on the eve of the club’s US trip. 21 year old Walsh, who was born the same year Brady won his first Super Bowl with the Patriots, took part in a one-on-one interview with host JT Foxx as the curtain-raiser to Brady’s appearance. “I’m a bit nervous being up here right before Tom Brady,” Walsh told the 2000-strong audience at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane. “I just want to play my part in the team and bring success to the Broncos, helping everyone around me be great. It’s all about helping each other and having the people around you that will help you get to your best. Reece Walsh Brady took to the stage minutes after Walsh, with several references to the Broncos squad in the crowd, parallels to his sport and the upcoming clash in Vegas. The 46 year old delivered key messages around his philosophies around life as a professional athlete, father and businessman, with a focus on ‘controlling what you can control.’ “What I learned over the course of my time at college, I wasn’t the most physically gifted but emotionally in terms of my competitiveness, my work ethic, and my discipline, I was way ahead of everyone else,” Brady said. “Those were the things that were going to allow me to be successful. In my second year, I was ready to compete and in the second game of the year Drew Bledsoe got hurt and I ran onto that field, and I said, ‘if they ever put me in, they’re never going to take me out’ and 22 years later they never took me off that field. Tom Brady “Now, this is a new chapter in my life when I go into broadcasting and as I continue to meet people and learn from them, I’m going to surround myself with people that bring out the best in me. “When people bet on me, I’ll make sure I do everything I can to live up to their expectation of me. “I aim to do that the same way I always have. I’m going to work really hard, I’m going to be really committed and I’m going to be really open to learning.” Before the evening drew a close, Walsh’s speed and precision was put to the test, as he iced a now-infamous spiral touchdown pass from Brady under pressure, to the applause of the crowd. “I just didn’t want to drop the ball, the nerves were through the roof,” Walsh reflected. It was a pretty surreal experience, it’s not every day you get to catch a ball from Tom Brady. Reece Walsh “That was a moment that I’m going to look back on and cherish for a long time. “I’m very grateful for the experience and hearing him chat. I got to shake hands with the best NFL player.” One lucky Broncos member won a club-run competition to meet Brady and their favourite Bronco, Robert Ing and his family were pictured with Pat Carrigan and the NFL star as part of the meet and greet opportunity. Read more here. The ‘Evening With Tom Brady’ event was presented by Sports Tech World Series. Source: NRL.com

The people of Tuonumbu village will soon have their very own school after the Education Department gave the approval. Tuonumbu Village is one of the biggest villages in the Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province situated along the Sepik Highway. Minister for International Trade and Investment & Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru said, many kids who travel to the nearby school take up t 6hours to a day to reach the school and is an exhausting journey for the kids. “The distance exhausts the kids, and their academic performance are not as good as it used to be in the old days.” “Also given the population growth I fully see the need of Tuonumbu village to have their own primary school.” The people of Tuonumbu requested their local MP, Minister Maru to support the funding of their new primary school through the Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority (DDA). However, Minister Maru said he was very much aware of the issues over the land that they had allocated for the school. “While I am committed to build all the classrooms and staff houses next year I will not assist with funding until the land issue is sorted out and properly acquired and surveyed to guarantee the Government that there is no dispute over the land before it invests in the facilities of the new school.” “All facilities of the school including the classrooms, staff houses, and a library will cost over K1.5 million and it will be irresponsible for the Government to invest in this school when the issue of land ownership is not being cleared.” “I am committed to have the facilities of the school built next year only on the understanding that all land issues will be addressed this year.” Minister Maru challenged the school chairman and the leaders of Tuonumbu village to get their act together and sort the land issues and have the land mobilized for the State to legally acquire the land in the next few months. “I am ready to build a very outstanding and well-designed school in Tuonombu. It is going to be a significant investment.” “It will be an investment that will anchor the future of this village and the generations to come. I am making a commitment to start building the facilities next year, so you have to sort out the land issues this year,” said Minister Maru.

As the 2024 academic year commenced on Monday, Vunakanau Primary School in the East New Britain province experienced a slow start of enrolments for the first day of school. Head Teacher Mr. Steven Taharin told PNG HAUSBUNG there was a good turn up for continuing students but with the new enrolments, they only saw less than 100 students register. “Today, we just enrolled the new intakes and the continuing students and about 80+ students came in.” He added, they are expecting more students to enrol during the week especially, the inclusion of grade 1 students and grade 3 students to enrol. He further stated that, due to the delay of GTFS payments, parents have agreed to pay a component fee of K100 for the past 2 years to help the school stay afloat. “Though the government mentioned that there is free education for everyone across the board, but since last year during the PNC meeting, all the parents have agreed to pay something to the school.” “This is because the funding from the national government does not arrive to quickly, therefore, parents agreed to pay the K100 fee.”

Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Rabbitohs recruit Jack Wighton have been cleared to make early returns from suspension but the pair will still miss the historic opening round in Las Vegas. Waerea-Hargreaves, Wighton and Raiders centre Sebastian Kris successfully applied to have representative fixtures they were expected to be selected for included as part of bans imposed before the end of the 2023 season. However, Waerea-Hargreaves will be unavailable for the Roosters' historic opening round match against the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, while Wighton will be a spectator when South Sydney play Manly. Kris and Waerea-Hargreaves will return in Round 2, while Wighton will have to wait an extra week to make his debut for the Rabbitohs in their Round 3 clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on March 22. Wighton, who announced his retirement from representative football before last year’s State of Origin series, was able to include the upcoming NRL Harvey Norman All Stars fixture in the three-match suspension for dangerous contact in Canberra’s elimination final loss to Newcastle. [caption id="attachment_49376" align="aligncenter" width="794"] New Rabbitohs recruit Jack Wighton at pre-season training©Grant Trouville/NRL Photos[/caption] Waerea-Hargreaves and Kris have been able to include three matches from the end-of-season Pacific Championships as it is considered they would have been selected in New Zealand’s tournament winning squad. The pair played for the Kiwis at the World Cup in England in 2022, while Wighton has been a regular member of the Indigenous All Stars team since 2013, making seven appearances in the annual fixture, which will be played in Townsville on February 16. Waerea-Hargreaves was suspended for a total of seven matches for two different offences (Dangerous Contact – 4 games), Striking – 3 games) in the Round 26 match against Wests Tigers. The Kiwis veteran missed the Round 27 clash with Souths and the Roosters' finals matches against Cronulla and Melbourne. He is now set to make his 300th NRL appearance in the Round 3 clash with the Rabbitohs. Kris received a five-match ban after being sent off for a dangerous throw in the Raiders’ Round 27 loss to Cronulla and missed the elimination final against the Knights, as well as the Pacific Championships. He will return in the Round 2 match against Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium on March 16. The Raiders will also be without Queensland Origin forward Corey Horsburgh for the opening two rounds after he received a four-match ban for a shoulder charge in the Round 26 loss to the Broncos. Sea Eagles speedster Toluta'u Koula, Wests Tigers recruit Latu Fainu and Rabbitohs hooker Siliva Havili were each suspended for one match following incidents in Tonga's third Test loss England in November last year. As the trio were charged by an International Rugby League match review committee, and not the NRL, they are therefore able to serve their suspensions in the 2024 NRL Pre-Season Challenge in February. Source: NRL.com

The Port Moresby General Hospital have hired 98 nurses on Short-Term Contract through the Office of the Director Nursing Services to assist with the shortage of manpower in the nursing division and contribute towards quality patient care. According to CEO, Dr Paki Molumi, currently the nursing manpower is at 800 and PMGH requires 3,000 nurses to effectively provide quality patient care. “We cannot provide quality patient care with this number. Patient care is compromised. Hence the recruitment of STC to fill the gaps. The contract is for 6 months only. We will be working with the Department of Personnel Management to create permanent positions,” he said. He also added that PMGH is looking at recruiting 200 nurses per year for the next 6 years up to 2030 to bring the nursing manpower to 2,000. Dr Molumi congratulated the ninety-eight nurses saying it was a privilege for them to be in the institution and encouraged them to perform well during these six months. He said that the hospital is developing curriculums for nursing such as the cardiac, cancer, kidney and others that will have to be delivered before 2025. “We want to create a career pathway so that you become specialist nurses in those areas. So, your career pathway is there, and it depends on how you perform at the hospital,” Dr Molumi said. Deputy Director Nursing Administration, Mr Vetari was grateful for the support from the management and spoke of more engagements between the staff and the management being the way forward. Following the recruitment of the nurses, an orientation program was held on Monday, 23rd January with an overview presentation of PMGH, the Human Resource function, the Infection Prevention Control functions, roles and responsibilities, occupational health, and safety functions.

The Port Moresby General Hospital board, management and staff kick started the year with a dedication service and the distribution of its Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). The AIP is a compilation of all key action plans and initiatives that are planned for implementation in 2024 by all work unit of PMGH in order to achieve the Corporate Plan 2022-2024. This momentous occasion was held on Friday in the presence of distinguished guests from the National Department of Health, NCDPHA, Central PHA, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and others. Deputy Secretary, Public Health Division Mr. Ken Wai, highlighted the importance of partnerships and expanded on the National Health Plan. “You and I are the physicians and nurses to deliver services to the mankind.” “I want to thank everyone for this great occasion, I see we have about 19 partners who support PMGH.” “That’s why deliberately in the Health Plan, we put KRA 2 to get that support to solicitate support from all our partners to support us.” He emphasized on the vision in the National Health Plan that every Papua New Guinean is to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. He also commended the PMGH board and management for developing the Corporate Plan to implement higher policies. Reflecting on the achievements of PMGH as well as services that will be delivered soon, CEO Dr Paki Molumi spoke of the strengthening of the corporate governance, clinical governance and the cancer and renal services. “Ultimately the successful achievements of the plans, the goals, the completion and running of the projects in PMGH will depend on the Government, the Board, management, the staff, the funding agencies, the community, and organizations all working conjointly for a common goal.” Dr Molumi also thanked the staff of PMGH especially those who have continued to provide service over the festive season. He said that 2023 was a year full of challenges but through perseverance and commitment to work we have triumphs that we should all celebrate and be proud of. The program had the dedication of the Annual Implementation Plan and its distribution to the Director Medical Service, Director Nursing Service and Director Corporate Service.