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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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Digital Transformation Summit 2026
I had the opportunity to attend the Digital Transformation Summit 2026, held from 19–22 July 2026 at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. As a doctor working in pathology, most of my work happens within the laboratory, where a large amount of healthcare data is generated and where almost every ward and department within a…
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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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A Practical Telepathology Setup in Papua New Guinea
Telemedicine refers to the delivery of healthcare over distance using information and communication technology. At its simplest, this can be a doctor consulting a patient over a video call, for example a psychiatrist speaking with a patient remotely. More advanced forms involve the transmission of clinical data such as images, videos, and physiological measurements to…
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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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Port Moresby General Hospital Patient Safety Day & Independence Roadshow 2025
Friday 19th September was one of those rare hospital days that felt less like work and more like a festival. Port Moresby General Hospital came alive as we celebrated World Patient Safety Day & Independence Roadshow. The Pathology team began the day as usual with our morning meeting and on-call handover, then we quickly mapped…
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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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Burn out
It was finally the end of the month, and we had got through without any major issues. I was completing clinic duties when I received a call to attend to an emergency case in the Emergency Department (ED). I rushed over, where both the Emergency and Anaesthetic teams were stabilising the patient—a trauma case requiring…
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A Strong Child
He was a quiet, smart young lad who somehow always had a huge smile on his face. Ward rounds were a mixture of emotions, as he was always happy to greet the team but reluctant to show us his wounds. Most days were bearable, as he only needed to fight through the pain of daily…
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.
