World Health Organisation (WHO)

Furthermore, he has urged all Members of Parliament (MPs) to take a proactive role in addressing these issues through their respective District Development Authorities (DDAs), including the allocation of funds for dental care initiatives.

Marape expressed his concerns during his visit to the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) dental programme in Port Moresby last Saturday, August 5, 2023.

The visit prompted a critical realisation of the challenges facing the nation's oral health landscape.

This is according to a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report on Global Population, with findings that show that about 15 percent of the world population live with some form of disability, the majority coming from developing countries.

As such, many are vulnerable and socially excluded, making it difficult for them to access economic opportunities and play an active role in society.

The illegal trading of tobacco continues to be a major concern for the Pacific.  The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) has taken on this fight and has a grouping of 23 customs administrations in the Pacific region.

They facilitate regional cooperation, information sharing and capacity building of its members with the target of supporting economic growth and improved border security in the Pacific.

Supported by the Australia-China-PNG Trilateral Malaria Project, the four were among 12 participants who undertook the five-day assessment before graduating on Friday 8 November.

The WHO-certified External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopists (ECAMM) evaluates the skills of microscopists in detecting and diagnosing malaria in blood samples using a microscope.

During the assessment, each participant is graded based on the WHO’s competence levels from one to four; with level one being the highest.

Not for the literal meaning, but because their cries of pain have gone unheard for years.

Snakebite affects the lives of around 4.5 million people worldwide every year; seriously injuring 2.7 million men, women and children, and claiming some 125,000 lives. 

According to the Global Snakebite Initiative, globally the greatest burden is experienced in the tropical world, where many nations remain under-developed or suffer from poor governance, political and/or social, conflict, resource scarcity, high disease burdens, or food insecurity.

For far too long, it has been a challenge for specialists and professionals in the forefront, dealing with snakebite cases and trying to reduce statistics.

A sigh of relief it is, now that snakebite envenoming has been returned to World Health Organisation’s list of Neglected Tropical Diseases. 

The tenth meeting of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG) was held on March 29–30, 2017 at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This was the message from WHO Country Representative to Papua New Guinea, Dr. Pieter van Maaren.

“The incidence of oral cancer is rising, primarily caused by the chewing of betelnut, with the associated mustard and lime,” stated Dr van Maaren in his World Cancer Day message on Feb 4.

“Combined with tobacco use, the risk of developing oral cancer further increases.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2016 is “Eyes on Diabetes”.

The year’s activity and materials will focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risks of serious complications.

The Worlds Diabetes Day is celebrated annually and is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

The Region is made up of 37 countries.

World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that PNG unfortunately has a very high rate of TB and is one of the most endemic countries for TB.

WHO regional coordinator for stop TB and leprosy elimination, Dr Nobuyuki Nishikiori, said the increase in multidrug resistant TB is a great concern for the region.

Nishikiori was part of the Regional Green Light Committee (RGLC) that recently visited PNG to evaluate the progress of the TB epidemic that has occurred since 2015.