Papua New Guinea reports 25 new Covid-19 cases as its record nears 200

The National Pandemic Control Centre has confirmed 25 new cases last night bringing the total COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea to 188 to date.

This includes 24 cases from the National Capital District and one from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB). The results were announced tonight after testing 319 samples from NCD, AROB, Morobe and Simbu.

The ARoB patient is a 22-year-old student who travelled from Port Moresby to Buka recently. More details of the youth will be announced later following contact tracing.

A male foreigner was also reported positive at the Pacific International Hospital after he was sick with cold and flu symptoms and shortness of breath. The foreigner is a close contact of 12 other Filipinos who were confirmed positive on Wednesday 5 August. The foreigners work for a construction company and have no recent travel history out of the country.

The individual brings to total 15 foreigners who have been tested positive in Papua New Guinea. This includes the index case of 20 March, the Australian Defence personnel and the 13 Filipinos from this week. All the 13 Filipinos have been isolated at the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre.

Over the past 22 days Papua New Guinea has seen a 7.5 per cent increase in the number of cases, bringing the total number of positive cases to 188.

Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Paison Dakulala said, “This is an increase of 177 cases in 22 days and it is important that we start taking responsibility for our health and that of our family and community.

“Papua New Guinea in the past 22 days has confirmed 177 cases, out of which 167 are from NCD and 10 from the provinces.

“The youngest is a two year-old from Western Province. The infant was one of the seven cases from Tabubil that was recently announced.

“Isolation and contact tracing of the patients will start tonight as the surveillance team in NCD gather more details about the 25 cases.”

Meanwhile the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre has reopened testing after staff went on strike for non-payment of salaries.

“We understand the critical role the health staff at the Rita Flynn are playing therefore we have resolved the issue today (7 August).

“Effective contact tracing by the provinces have indicated that the transmission was from people who had recently been in Port Moresby. These include the confirmed cases of AROB, Western, West Sepik and Southern Highlands provinces who have been contacts of cases who have been in Port Moresby,” said Deputy Controller Dr Dakulala, adding that as of tonight, there will travel restrictions limiting persons travelling by aircraft from one province in PNG to another province.

“This is part of the government’s strategy to contain the spread of the transmission to other provinces.

“Other strategies include the setting up of testing areas in urban clinics in NCD, including the calling out the PNG Defense Force to assist the police in the COVID-19 emergency operations.

“We are calling on all Papua New Guineans to adhere and practice health measures by washing your hands, coughing into your elbows, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, avoid crowded areas and stay at home if you are sick,” Dr Dakulala said.

West Sepik provincial assembly members inducted on their roles and responsibilities

Local Level Government presidents and Commissioners in West Sepik last week were inducted about their roles and responsibilities at the sub national level.

A team of officials from the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, the Department of Implementation and Rural Development, Finance and Parliamentary Services were in Vanimo.

West Sepik has four districts of Vanimo Green River, Aitape-Lumi, Nuku and Telefomin.

It has 18 LLG’s and 236 wards.

Director of District Development Authority at DPLGA Frank Akrakri said the presidents should work closely with the district administrators and the public servants in the district to assist them plan for projects and development in their wards.

This is the first time such a workshop was conducted in West Sepik and many had applauded as an eye opener.

They were now ready to plan and run their local level governments in their respective districts.

They have realized that in the past few members and the chairman control assembly meetings and passed agenda on projects that are not viable and beneficial to everyone in the community.

The aim of the workshop was to help presidents know and understand their roles and responsibilities so that they can deliver services to people.

Brian Bell Gordon's Plaza exhilarates me

Hey Port Moresby residents.

The refurbished Gordon's Plaza by Brian Bell is a must visit latest shopping amenity.

From the outside well you have ample parking and easy drive in and out. More like 360 degrees access.

To me if there was an emergency, everyone could leave quick and easy.

May be that was the agenda with the design and construction.

When I first visited, I was indeed exhilarated.

Too clean. Well set up. Feels like home.

I walked in from the south end where Trends Hair and Beauty Shop is on left and the re-branded ( I think) Keynote Music is on the right.

I was quick to grab a recorder from Keynote for my daughters music class.

It was calm, dim and nice inside like you've walked into a pub where there's going to be a band performing and they were setting up...lol

The recorder costs K30 as opposed to another shop at a mall costing K60. Well I was informed.

I rushed out quick, a satisfied shopper.

Two days later I went back and did a tour of the new look Plaza.

First I like the set up. The coffee shop was great. I experienced top stuff customer service.

They were prompt to serve, greeting me and speaking to me politely.

Already a sales pitch and I would definitely visit later.

At the main shop there were some sale but I found the Esky to be worth checking.

Here are some pictures.

But at the New Zealand Health Shop, I suggest you visit.

Check their products like the Moringa capsules.

I recommend Moringa to boost our immune system.

It is widely acclaimed as the tree of life.

Now at the Trends Hair and Beauty shop before you exit through the south entry, check out these Dr Teals Bodywash.

It's no ordinary shampoo, trust me.

It costs around K40.

What you should do is obviously buy one.

When you have shower, use it on your body after soaping or shampooing yourself.

Then you use Dr Teal.

You'd feel like there's a coating over your body.

Go to sleep and soon you will go into real long deep sleep.

And then you will wake up so fresh and early, rejuvenated and ready for any challenge.

It relaxes your muscles and releases some stress.

So there's always something-just few here you can find at Gordons Plaza that's worth a visit.

Thank you for reading

Let's stop this cat and mouse game with Port Moresby police

The onset of Covid-19 Pandemic across the world and in Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby is deadly serious.

We have the government putting measures to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

As of this post, reported cases have soared to 153.

Prime Minister James Marape told his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in a video conference today.

At Port Moresby's notorious Garden Hills  where squatter settlers live on the western end as you drive up from the Moni Plus on Waigani Drive, it was business as usual.

Betel nut, cigarette and food trade were on.

The road leading to Garden Hills and Moni Plus on right. Vendors occupy side walks

There was no regard for restriction on social distancing and big gatherings.

At 2.30pm Wednesday, August 5, gun shots were heard.

As I drove past- police in three different Toyota Troopers were dispersing the ignorant vendors.

Betel nut strewn on the roads and cars that drove past smashed them.

Some vendors were carrying their market stalls and running for safety.

Others stared horrified.

The place looked cleared up.

It is one hell of a stressful stretch to drive past everyday I must say.

Vendors and people loiter and stand in the way of cars.

They have in fact taken the driveway as their side walks have been taken by vendors.

The sad truth today though, the police intervention never worked.

An hour later, the ignorant vendors were back with their trade as the picture shows.

Absolutely we have no regard for rules and authority.

Good citizens must help police curb this nonsense by not buying stuff from the vendors.

This should start with staff from Moni Plus and residents of Garden Hills Estate.

We need to help police.

And for the settlers, let's comply with  rules in this trying times as government imposes restrictions on trade, movement and meetings as a result of Covid-19.

To protect our lives for heaven's sake.

The cat and mouse game should stop.

Kavieng International Airport to be complete in two years

 

Over 25 years after New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan raised the need for

New Ireland to have an International Airport and finally the Ground breaking

took place on Wednesday the 15th of July 2020.

Witnessed by Prime Minister James Marape and 7 state Minister’s including

Minister for Civil Aviation Captain Lekwa Gure, National Planning and

Monitoring Sam Basil, Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey, Transport and Infrastructure

William Sam, Forestry Solan Mirisim, Fisheries Dr. Lino Tom, Finance

Minister Rainbo Paita and Samarai Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard. It was also a

very rare occasion where the three local members of parliament Governor Sir J,

Kavieng Open Ian Ling Stuckey and Namatanai Open MP Walter Schnaubelt

attended a public gathering together for the greater good of the people of New

Ireland.

Other Dignataries included China’s Ambassador to PNG HE Xue Bing,

stakeholders from the Business community, Airport Landowners and 100

participants of the NIPG Community Awareness program from the Matalai and

Namatanai LLG’s.

Minister Captain Lekwa Gure relayed the Kavieng Airport upgrade project will

involve the upgrade of the existing runway pavement and apron, extension of

the existing runway by 500 metres, design and construction of the new type B

terminal which will have a floor space of 2640 square metres, car park and

access road, construction of perimeter fence around runway extension area,

construction of NAC staff house, office building, workshop plus power house,

rehabilitation of NAC facility roads and associated works .Once the runway

extension and strengthening are completed the runway dimensions itself will be

2.2 kilometres by 30 metres wide and have a pavement classification of 50

which will be long and strong enough to accommodate Boeing 737- 800 series

type of aircraft or its equivalent,” said Minister Capt. Lekwa Gure.

The contract was awarded in March this year to China Railway Construction

Engineering Group PNG at a value of 98.5 million. “Now that the ground

breaking is taking place today we expect the contractor to start work tomorrow

and the clock will start ticking for the next 24 months.”

Prime Minister James Marape noting the New Ireland Government’s and the

people’s desire for the Airport Terminal to have a uniquely New Ireland flavor

inspired by the Provincial bird “Drongo” agreed the terminal building should

possess the “Bilas” flavor. “We can still relook at the design of the terminal to

incorporate New Ireland flavor but we will have to put in extra funds from both

the National Government and the Provincial government to make it happen. It’s

 

important that New Ireland must have its own distinct design,” said PM

Marape.

Governor Sir J’s vision for the International Airport was first raised back in the

1990s, when he was the Open Member for Namatanai. “I realised that New

Ireland – if it was to reach its full potential – needed a direct link to the rest of

the world.

“I thought then – and I think now – that we need an International Airport

because of what New Ireland has to offer to the world. And I think everyone

here today can recognise what New Ireland has to offer.

“As a tourist destination, New Ireland is at the very top of the list in Papua New

Guinea, in the entire Pacific. Where else can you get the beauty of mountains?

with rainforests, pristine beaches with white sand and palm trees, crystal clear

waters for swimming and world class diving, surfing sites that are the envy of

the world, and – our greatest attraction of all – people who say hello when you

pass them on the street. People who shake your hand - instead of picking your

pocket.

“We want our tourists to visit the people in the village, to stay at community

guesthouses. Because a person in a village in New Ireland is a member of the

village, a member of the community. And, in New Ireland, the village takes care

of its own.

“THAT is what New Ireland is all about. THAT is what makes New Ireland

unique. THAT is what we want to market to the world,” said Sir J.

A cheque of K3 million was handed over to the landowners as partial payment

for the use of their land, the outstanding will be paid in due course after further

consultations with the landowners. This includes further compensation for the

delay in payments.

The multimillion kina airport project is one of 27 impact projects promised by

the State in 1995 under the Lihir MOA that will add significant value and match

the already newly constructed four-lane Kavavu Avenue from the airport to the

waterfront built by the Government of New Ireland. It is expected to be

complete in July 2022, two years from now.

It has taken 25 years to start just 1 of the four major projects under the Lihir

MOA, this is an obligation of the State since 1995. It is time to restore the

peoples trust in the Government to meet its promises

 

Seizing the moment: Tackling entrenched inequalities to end epidemics

By Winnie Byanyima

Like the HIV epidemic before it, COVID-19 is exploiting the extreme inequalities between countries and within them to take root among disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. I am proud that decades of experience in responding to HIV are being used in the fight against the coronavirus and that activists all over the world are working hard to make sure that the disruption to HIV services is minimized.

But I am also deeply concerned.

Even before the onset of COVID-19, the world was failing in its commitment to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. The UNAIDS new Global Report, Seizing The Moment: tackling entrenched inequalities to tackle epidemics, shows that there were 690,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2019 and 1.7 million new infections—far from the global targets of fewer than 500,000 deaths and 500,000 new infections a year that were set for 2020.

The collective failure to implement and sufficiently invest in comprehensive, rights-based HIV responses has come at a dreadful price. There were 3.5 million more HIV infections and 820,000 more AIDS-related deaths from 2015 to 2020 than the world had aimed to achieve.

This is unacceptable when we have medicines to keep people living with HIV alive and well and an array of prevention tools to stop new infections. We are being held back by entrenched inequalities that put vulnerable and marginalized groups of people at higher risk of becoming infected with HIV and dying of AIDS-related illnesses.

More people are on treatment than ever before. Globally around 25.4 million of the 38 million people living with HIV are accessing life-saving antiretroviral therapy, but 12.6 million people are not.

As ever, it is the most vulnerable who pay the price. Every day, marginalized groups such as gay men, sex workers, transgender people, people who use drugs, prisoners and migrants are prevented from receiving proper health care and are criminalized and marginalized. Denied their right to health, these groups and their sexual partners comprised 62 percent of all new adult infections in 2019.

Meanwhile, women and girls are too often denied their sexual and reproductive health and rights, while gender-based violence and gender inequalities continue to drive the epidemic forward among young women and girls.

It is estimated that globally 243 million women and girls aged 15-49 years have been subjected to sexual and/or physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in the past 12 months. months. Meanwhile, we know that women who experience such violence are 1.5 times more likely to acquire HIV than women who have not experienced violence.

All this must change, and we have to act on multiple fronts. In Papua New Guinea for instance, the acute emergency of COVID-19 brought out the many cracks in the system that must be targeted and fundamentally overhauled to create a more user-friendly and survivor-centred GBV response.

Just like HIV, COVID-19 holds up a mirror to the stark inequalities and injustices that run through our societies. The COVID-19 pandemic will also be exacerbated unless we address the human rights impact on vulnerable people and their lack of access to health services, education, protection from violence and social, economic and psychological support.

Successful pandemic responses are grounded in human rights, implement evidence-based programming, and should be fully funded to achieve their targets.

HIV has been slipping down the international agenda for some years. Now, I am calling on leaders to convene a new United Nations High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS next year to address with urgency the outstanding issues that are holding us back from ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

We cannot drop the ball on HIV. The futures of millions of people are at stake.

The UNAIDS 2020 global report is a call to action. It highlights the terrible scale of the HIV epidemic and how it runs along the fault lines of inequalities.

We can and must close the gaps.

Training for Village Record Book Kicks Off in New Ireland

 

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan launched the new Village Book database

system for the 142 LLG wards in New Ireland on Wednesday, becoming the

first Governor in the country to roll out the project that will be introduced

nationwide in the coming weeks.

Sir J immediately urged all the Ward Recorders in the Province to make it their

business to ensure all relevant data is recorded and updated. “You must fight for

New Ireland and do a complete audit of the people and provide an accurate data

bank the like the whole of New Ireland depends on you alone.”

He cut the ribbon as he launched the Village Record Book database system and

training workshop for Ward Recorders and LLG officials and Councilors on

Tuesday 30 th June kicking off the national drive to establish the data system

established under an MOU signed with the Department of Provincial and Local

Level Government Affairs on the 7 th of February this year.

Among witnesses to the occasion were representatives of the Department of

Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, the Deputy Governor and

President of Tikana LLG, Hon. Sammy Missen and colleague Presidents from

the Murat and Kavieng Urban Councils, the acting Provincial Administrator and

Director for District and LLG Affairs, Mr. Ricky Fugonto, who spearheaded

and coordinated preparation and New Ireland Government involvement and

funding of the project.

Mr. Fugonto said the Village Record Book is a key Government initiative to

ensure New Ireland Government has a locally developed and managed database

collection system that will generate accurate, reliable and up to date data for

evidence-based development planning, policy formulation, budgeting, resource

allocation and service distribution.

“It is paramount that all Government agencies at all levels of government work

together in ensuring this important government intervention is strengthened and

sustained over a long period of time by sharing resources, expertise and skills,”

said Fugonto.

Governor Sir J’s keynote address stemmed from the heart of ‘Autonomy.’ He

said the Village Record Books would not only help New Ireland but also the

Electoral Commission, which had an appalling track record in updating the

names of all electors during the National and LLG Elections.

 

Sir J said, “Ward members the future of New Ireland will depend on you. The

vision for tomorrow is that we’ve got to decentralize power to the provinces.

We have to make every province autonomous because power is responsibility.

A united Papua New Guinea can only be strong if we recognize individual

rights of our people .The National Government can just concentrate on policy

matters and coordination,” said Sir J.

Sir J thanked the officials from the DPLGA for availing their time for the

training but advised them to tell Waigani that New Ireland is capable of looking

after itself. “ I hope you can bring the message back to Port Moresby and say

why are we not playing around, just let these people govern themselves, and we

just stay back, make good policies for good governance and just coordinate their

projects in the districts.”

In a delightful closing gesture drawing popular applause Sir Julius announced

that the New Ireland Government would Top-Up the Ward Recorders

allowances by another K100 per month bring their monthly total to K200.