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Cancer pathology services in PNG
A mother of 3 in her forties comes into the cancer clinic worried and eager for answers. She has a right breast lump with associated lumps under her right armpit. She is one of many that come in every week now. Treated at the health centre with antibiotics for several weeks, she was referred for…
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BONE CANCER: life or limb
A 5-year-old boy comes into the clinic with a swollen right forearm. His parents only villagers. We investigate and treat for an infection of the bone (osteomyelitis). Months go by with no improvement. The swelling has increased and x-rays are now highly suggestive of a bone cancer. Unable to do a biopsy as the parents…
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Jinjo Health Centre on Rossel Island: A Journey to the Edge of Milne Bay (Part One)”
My watch showed 4:30 a.m. It was that time of the day where if you met someone on the road you’d take a moment to decide whether to say good night or good morning. Dawn was approaching. Sunrise on Nimoa Island. We had spent the night on Nimoa Island after travelling from Misima. Nimoa is…
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Getting Pregnant: When Is the Best Time to Try?
A patient asked me this question yesterday so I thought to write it up. “When is the best time for a woman to have sex if she wants to get pregnant?” Every month the uterus, especially its lining, undergoes changes in preparation to receive and support a fertilized egg. If sex and fertilization occur then…
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Common misconceptions about the ICU
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in hospitals, particularly in limited-resource countries, are often subject to various misconceptions. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial for improving healthcare delivery and fostering a more accurate understanding of the challenges and realities faced by these vital medical facilities. The ICU provides critical care and life support for acutely ill and injured patients.…
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Dr. Edwin Tscharke and Gaubin Lutheran Rural Hospital (Part 2)
When Dr Tscharke arrived on the island, the population was approximately 8,000 and there were no medical facilities. He had arrived with his wife Tabitha Grace Rohde and they were accommodated by Mr. Lithner who was a coconut plantation manager on Karkar Island. Dr. Tscharke and wife Tabitha Grace Rohde Pastor Milery Seil and the…
