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Cancer Awareness Visit to Jack’s of PNG
October is the month dedicated to breast cancer awareness. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining one of my colleagues and one of my bosses to visit Jack’s of PNG warehouse at Hohola, Port Moresby, for a cancer awareness program organized by the PNG Cancer Foundation. The Foundation regularly coordinates visits by doctors…
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Kuru the “laughing disease” in Papua New Guinea: history, science, and significance.
Kuru was a rare brain disease that was discovered in Papua New Guinea. It first came to medical attention in the 1950s when colonial health officers and local physicians noticed an unusual syndrome affecting women and children in the Fore speaking area of PNG’s Eastern Highlands. People with kuru often first developed shaking, difficulty walking,…
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PNG Medical Blog at the Community Justice Fund Grant Awards in Support of Community-Driven Impact
The PNG Medical Blog team had the pleasure of attending the Community Justice Fund grant awards at the Australian High Commission on Wednesday, 10th September, 2025. The awards were presented by PNG’s Minister for Justice & Attorney General, Hon. Pila Niningi MP. and Australia’s Attorney-General, Hon. Michelle Rowland MP. The Community Justice Fund (CJF) is…
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A Friday for a Pathology Registrar
Friday morning. It was 9 a.m. when I left the office. The morning meeting had been a long one, the previous night’s on-call shift summary was presented then other issues discussed. Afterwards, I spent a few minutes discussing a case with my colleague; we had a pediatric patient booked for a bone marrow aspiration in…
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What is a Full Blood Examination?
A Full Blood Examination (FBE), also known as a Full Blood Count (FBC) or Complete Blood Count (CBC), is one of the most commonly requested blood tests in hospitals and clinics across Papua New Guinea. Whether a patient is well or unwell, the FBE is often one of the first tests done. The name “full…
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Chatbots in Healthcare: Improving Efficiency and Optimizing Patient Care in Papua New Guinea
Chatbots are artificial intelligence-driven software programs designed to interact with users, answer questions, and perform automated tasks. In healthcare, chatbots have the potential to transform patient care by providing immediate assistance, answering routine inquiries, and even assessing symptoms. These software programs can be especially beneficial in resource-constrained environments like Papua New Guinea, where the doctor-to-patient…
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Understanding Your Medicine Prescription: A Simple Guide
Prescriptions are an essential part of medical treatment, but they can often seem confusing if you’re not familiar with what they mean. A medical prescription is a formal document provided by a healthcare professional that outlines the medication you need, who is authorized to prescribe it, and the details of the treatment. What Is a…
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The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Tuberculosis Diagnosis: A Literature Review
Background Tuberculosis (TB), although preventable and curable, remains a substantial global health challenge, with the World Health Organization (WHO)[1] estimating a quarter of the world’s population has been infected with the bacteria, and 5-10% of infected persons eventually developing TB disease.[2] In 2022, TB was the world’s second leading infectious killer, ranking above HIV/AIDS, with…
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Why is My Newborn Girl Bleeding? Understanding Pseudomenstruation and What to Do
As a doctor working in the children’s emergency department, I often see parents worried when they find light bleeding in their newborn girl’s diaper. This happens a couple of times a month in my practice—just last week, I had two such cases. It’s called pseudomenstruation, and while it can be unsettling for parents, it’s a…
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Tips for Visiting the Children’s Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital
Visiting the Children’s Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital can be challenging, but with some preparation and understanding, you can improve the experience for both your child and the healthcare workers. Here are some practical tips to keep in mind: At Home: Initial Steps for Managing Illness 1. Manage Minor Illnesses at Home –…
