-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
Dr. Edwin Tscharke and Gaubin Lutheran Rural Hospital (Part 1)
Gaubin Lutheran Rural Hospital (GRH) is situated on the south eastern tip of Karkar Island. It is roughly an hour boat ride from Rempi village off the northern coastline of Papua New Guinea in Madang Province. The story of GRH began on the 11th September 1947 with the arrival of Dr. Edwin Gerhard Tscharke to…
-
The burden of breast cancer in Papua New Guinea
In 2020, breast cancer was the number one cause of cancer deaths amongst women in Papua New Guinea. In the last 10 years, the incidence of breast cancer in PNG had doubled to more than 12 per 100,000 population. Infact, studies in PNG have shown that 40% of women with breast cancer are below the…
-
Child Malnutrition in Papua New Guinea: Long-Term Health Effects
Malnutrition is a significant issue for children in Papua New Guinea (PNG), though its severity is often overlooked. It’s not just about children being hungry; inadequate nutrition can have lifelong adverse effects on their health and development. Malnutrition occurs when a child does not receive enough essential nutrients. This leads to weakened immune systems, making…
-
Misconceptions about Diabetic Complications
The International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas (2021) reports that 10.5% of the adult population (20-79 years) has diabetes, with almost half unaware that they are living with the condition. 537 million Approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes. 643 million by 2030 The total number of people living with diabetes is projected to rise…
-
Blood transfusions; strategies to get more blood donors. (part 4)
What are some reasons why people don’t donate blood? There are many reasons why people do not or cannot donate blood. These reasons may include; (1) What are some strategies that hospitals can do to encourage people to donate? USE THESE TIPS TO BRING IN MORE BLOOD DONATIONS. OUR PATIENTS NEED ALL THE HELP THEY…
