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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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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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Common misconceptions about surgery
Surgery in limited-resource settings, such as Papua New Guinea, often face unique challenges and misconceptions. Here are some common misconceptions about surgery in these environments. In PNG, every doctor that trains to become a surgeon will first complete their masters and become a general surgeon. After successfully completing this training, the general surgeon can 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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Understanding and Responding to Seizures in Children: First Aid Guide
Seizures, also commonly referred to as “fits,” are episodes of abnormal, excessive, and synchronized electrical activity in the brain. This electrical disturbance can lead to various symptoms, ranging from minor twitching to intense convulsions. In children, seizures can be caused by factors such as fever, infections like meningitis or encephalitis, head injuries, congenital brain defects,…
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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…
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Common misconceptions about asthma
Asthma, a chronic respiratory condition, is often misunderstood. Here are some common misconceptions about asthma: Misconception 1: Asthma is only a childhood disease. Reality: While asthma often begins in childhood, it can develop at any age. Adults can also develop asthma even if they did not have it as children. Misconception 2: Asthma is contagious.…
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Common misconceptions about amoxicillin
Misconceptions about the use of amoxicillin in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as PNG are prevalent and can significantly impact public health. Here are some common misconceptions that the public must understand: 1. Amoxicillin as a Cure-All Misconception: Many people in LMICs believe that amoxicillin can treat all types of infections, including viral infections…
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Common misconceptions about X-rays
There are several common misconceptions about X-rays among the public. These misconceptions often stem from a lack of understanding about how X-rays work and their effects on the human body. Here are some prevalent misconceptions: 1. X-rays Cause Immediate Harm Many people believe that a single X-ray can cause significant harm or radiation sickness.…
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Common misconceptions about waiting times in hospitals
The following series of posts will discuss common misconceptions about aspects of health care in a low to middle income country such as Papua New Guinea. There are several common misconceptions about waiting times in public hospitals that the public often holds and need to understand: 1. Waiting Times Are Arbitrary: Many people believe that…
