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Where to Get Help: A Healthcare Referral Pathway for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea
This post contains descriptions of domestic and intimate partner violence which some readers may find distressing. If you or someone you know needs support, 1 Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain offers immediate tele-counselling and referral services across Papua New Guinea: +(675) 7150-8000. For doctors and frontline health workers, cases such as the previous article (Survivor on…
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A guide for GBV assessment for health workers in Papua New Guinea
This post contains descriptions of domestic and intimate partner violence which some readers may find distressing. If you or someone you know needs support, 1 Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain offers immediate tele-counselling and referral services across Papua New Guinea: +(675) 7150-8000. A gender-based violence assessment should be survivor-centred, confidential, non-judgemental and guided by informed consent.…
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The Burden of Sorcery-Related Violence and Injury in Papua New Guinea.
Sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) remains one of the most serious human rights, public health and law enforcement challenges in Papua New Guinea (PNG). SARV refers to acts of assault, torture, injury, displacement and homicide committed against individuals accused of practising sorcery or witchcraft. Although beliefs in sorcery have long existed in Melanesian societies, violence arising…
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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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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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Pathology as a Career in Papua New Guinea
Introduction Pathology is the study of disease. Pathology is important because in order to treat a disease we need to identify, confirm the disease and understand how the disease works. Pathology is the bridge between science and medicine. If you’ve ever been to hospital and had to get a blood test, that is a pathology…
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Nurse‑to‑patient ratios
The current nurse-to-patient ratio in my ward in Alotau Provincial Hospital which is a 32-bed surgical ward with only 16 nursing/CHW staff is roughly 1:8-10.5 for every 8-hour shift (3-4 staff/shift) if the ward is full. Night shifts can be as low as 2 staff on duty (1:16). This is not safe or practical as…
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National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence (2016-2025) review
I recently attended the first of many National GBV 2016-2025 strategy review listening tours in Alotau run by the team from the National GBV Secretariat to share and discuss new strategies for the prevention and response to GBV in PNG into the future. The current National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2016-2025…
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Common misconceptions about blood tests
Blood tests are a routine part of medical diagnostics, but there are several misconceptions the public may have about them. Here are some common misconceptions: 1. Abnormal Results Always Indicate a Serious Problem Misconception: Any abnormal blood test result means a serious illness. Reality: Abnormal results can be due to a variety of factors, including…
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Food safety
I walked into my local supermarket the other day hoping to buy something nice for dinner. What greeted me at the meat section of this fairly new Asian owned store was nothing short of astonishing. The protein that was displayed did not look or smell like they were meant for human beings to buy, take…
Recent Posts
- Strengthening Papua New Guinea’s Health System in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
- Where to Get Help: A Healthcare Referral Pathway for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea
- A guide for GBV assessment for health workers in Papua New Guinea
- Digital Transformation Summit 2026
- The Burden of Sorcery-Related Violence and Injury in Papua New Guinea.
