Health Department

Health department partners with stakeholders to fight cervical cancer

Health Secretary, Pascoe Kase and representatives from partners from the Department of Education and the Rotary Club witnessed the occasion.

Kase said cervical cancer, with an estimated 1, 500 deaths per year, is the most common cancer among women in PNG and is the only cancer that can be prevented through a vaccination.

“The cervical cancer vaccination, also called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination can protect women from developing most types of cervical cancer when given to girls before any sexual activity begins,” Kase said.

Health Department continues to address HIV problem

“Our major partner in this critical area is the Australian Government through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),” the Health Secretary Pascoe Kase revealed yesterday.

“Despite recent reporting that DFAT is withdrawing funding for HIV in PNG, the fact is that DFAT is continuing to fund treatment support for HIV, directly through NGO programs, as well as funding Health Department HIV support projects,” he said.

PNG Nurses Association delays stop work action

This follows a near positive outcome at a meeting today between PNGNA executives, Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari and Health Secretary Pascoe Kase.

PNGNA threatened to stop its financial members of 5,000 nurses in turning up for work on Wednesday, Sept 14 if the National Government does not respond to their outstanding claims.

Their claims include the non-payment of their wages and other benefits.

A nurse’s industrial award was signed with the Government in December, 2015 regarding their wages and other benefits which was supposed to be effected in January.

Malaria affects 90 percent of population

“On average, each person suffers over three episodes of malaria in a year. This is evidenced by the current approximately 1.7 million clinical malaria cases reported annually in our health facilities,” Kase stated.

On Monday (April 25), the world will observe World Malaria Day, he said. As the country with the highest malaria burden outside Africa, it is fitting that PNG reflects on the country’s malaria burden, achievements, way forward and maintaining the gains achieved so far.

The theme this year is “End malaria for good”.

No travel restrictions on WHO instructions

Last week, a pregnant woman in Queensland was tested positive for the Zika Virus after she returned from holidays in Tonga.

Loop PNG when enquiring on travel restrictions was told there are no travel restrictions in place as the World Health Organization says it is not necessary.

He however said airline operators have to comply with normal operations and spray inside the aircraft with repellents to kill any mosquitoes that could have boarded the flight.

Health Minister pleased with budget slice

Health received the third largest share with a total of K1, 565.9 million or 11 per cent of the 2016 budget which is set at K14.2 billion.

The key Health expenses include: Drugs and medical supplies K151 million; church health grants K26 million, free health care K20 million, HIV/AIDS treatment drugs K14.1 million and medical equipment K5.6 million.

Malabag said in a statement that he was proud to be a member of a Government committed to long term economic stability while always keeping the health and welfare of the people in mind.

Tobacco law to be ready next year

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase says a high number of high school children smoke regularly and he hopes when the legislation is passed it will provide some control.

He also says this new law will prevent the sale of loose cigarettes on the streets.

“ This will also control access of tobacco to children under the age of 18,” Kase says.,

The Health department will work in partnership with line agencies like police to enforce this law.

Kase says he hopes the new law will also halt access to cheap smuggled cigarettes.