Latest news with #PostCourier
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Bougainville And Papua New Guinea Struggle To Find Common Ground
The Bougainville Attorney-General says the autonomous region and the Papua New Guinea government may sign an agreement on the way ahead in their push for independence next week. A week of talks at Burnham Camp in New Zealand last week failed to produce a political agreement on implementing implement the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum. However, further talks, again mediated by former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, are scheduled to go ahead next week. Ezekiel Masatt told the Post-Courier that Bougainville "firmly rejected" PNG's renewed proposals for "free association" and "confederation". He added that the talks cannot progress constructively until the PNG government is willing to openly pronounce the word "independence." Bougainville put forward what it called a "Melanesian Solution" with the autonomous region being granted some sovereign powers immediately. Former Papua New Guinea MP, Sir John Kaputin, has called for the leaders of PNG to listen to Bougainville, and for the leaders of Bougainville to be serious about their duties on behalf of their people. Sir John was closely involved in the cease fire in Bougainville in 1998, after being appointed the special State negotiator by Sir Rabbie Namaliu. He has told the Post Courier this week that "It's a two-way thing that leaders of Bougainville must be serious about their leadership among our people and it's up for the National Government to listen to what they are proposing." he said. Former PNG chief secretary Isaac Lupari has called for caution on Bougainville's push for independence. He pointed out that the national constitution does not allow for any part of the country to secede. Lupari is quoted in the Post-Courier saying "the pathway for determining Bougainville's future is enshrined in our National Constitution which makes it clear that the decision-making authority in relation to the Bougainville referendum results rests with the National Parliament."
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Polio Vaccines Set To Arrive In PNG Next Week, Says Health Minister
Papua New Guinea's health minister, Elias Kapavore, says polio vaccines are set to arrive in the country next week. The World Health Organisation declared an outbreak of the disease in PNG last month. The Post Courier reported that as of 6 June, 48 cases of acute flaccid paralysis - a condition characterized by rapid onset of muscle weakness or paralysis, but not a disease in itself - had been reported across 11 provinces. Of these, 20 tested negatives for poliovirus, and 28 remain under investigation. Kapavore said the primary objective is to protect children from paralysis and prevent further virus transmission. Kapavore said vaccines are scheduled to arrive between 16 and 20 June. The estimated cost for two rounds of the vaccination campaign is 88 million kina (US$21.4m). So far, 74 million kina has been secured through the PNG and Australian governments and from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, as well as technical and logistical support from WHO and UNICEF, including the full cost of the nOPV2 vaccine supply. During the recent World Health Assembly in Geneva, Kapavore presented PNG's national statement, reaffirming its commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and advocating for cross-border coordination, especially with Indonesia. "The genetic link to the Indonesian strain [of polio] highlights the urgency of strengthening biosecurity capacity at the Papua New Guinea-Indonesia border," he said. "We must scale up surveillance and immunisation at these points of entry through coordinated efforts by the Departments of Health, Agriculture, Defence, Immigrations and Border Security, to prevent future cross-border transmission of polio and other infectious diseases." He called upon every MP to actively support vaccination and awareness efforts in their constituencies. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has raised concern about comebacks of vaccine-preventable disease in east Asia and the Pacific. In the first months of 2025, countries like Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Vietnam have reported a sharp rise in measles cases compared with the same period last year. UNICEF regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, June Kunugi, said measles and polio are highly infectious. "And children are paying the price for gaps in coverage, delayed care, and misinformation. No child should suffer or die from a disease we know how to prevent."
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Papua New Guinea: Modillon Hospital in Madang on the brink of collapse, warns manager
Madang Hospital. Like many hospitals in PNG, Madang Hospital is also struggling with shortages. (file image). Photo: US Navy The acting manager of one of Papua New Guinea's main hospitals says it is on the brink of collapse. Workers at Modillon Hospital in Madang say there is severe mismanagement, a lack of funding, and unsafe working conditions. The hospital is meant to provide services for a catchment of half a million people. Acting hospital manager John Mark Jeremiah said Modillon is no longer functioning as a proper referral facility, and he is blaming this on poor leadership and outside interference. He told the Post-Courier that ''professional standards have collapsed". Staff have reports that essential medical tools, such as portable X-ray machines and anaesthetic equipment, are broken. They say sterilisation systems are also down, and water and electricity services are unreliable. Toilets and ablution blocks are in poor condition, and there are serious hygiene concerns. Doctors also reported being left off the payroll, while others have been evicted from staff housing due to unpaid rent. This is despite reports that five sixths of the hospital's funding goes to wages, leaving little for hospital operations.
RNZ News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific cardinal says his Pope vote will consider Catholics in PNG, Solomon Islands
Cardinal Sir John Ribat pays tribute to the late Pope Francis. Photo: Archdiocese of Suva Papua New Guinea's Catholic Church cardinal says he will have his region's interests in mind when he votes for the new pope. The Vatican has announced the eligible cardinals to vote for the replacement for the late Pope Francis will meet starting on 7 May inside the Sistine Chapel, in the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence in Vatican City. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote, although they can take part in the conclave. There are currently 252 cardinals, 138 of whom are cardinal electors. Two of these are from Pacific islands - Archbishop of Port Moresby, Cardinal Sir John Ribat representing the PNG and Solomon Islands Bishop Conference, and Cardinal Soane Mafi, Bishop of Tonga and Niue. Cardinal Sir John Ribat told the Post Courier newspaper his vote will be for the interest of five million Catholics around Papua New Guinea and one million Catholics in Solomon Islands. Read more: The previous two conclaves, held in 2005 and 2013, each lasted two days. But Swedish cardinal Anders Arborelius said the coming ballot may take longer, as many of the cardinals appointed by Pope Francis have never met each other. New Zealand's cardinal, John Dew , said the next pope would need to be a leader in terms of faith and living the gospel himself, and someone who encouraged others to live the gospel. "It's a bit daunting to think I'll be going into the conclave to be part of the process of electing a new pope, but I also know that I and everybody else is really supported by the prayers from all around the world, so that's very much appreciated." The word conclave comes from the Latin, cum clave, meaning 'with a key'. The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote by secret ballot until a candidate is selected. A two-thirds majority vote is required. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot. One ballot is held on the first day of the conclave and four on each subsequent day - two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Immediately after the count, the ballots and all related notes are burned in a stove in the chapel. The coffin of Pope Francis is seen in front of the Colosseum as it is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, after a funeral mass in Rome on 26 April, 2025. Photo: AFP/ Stefano Rellandini The colour of the smoke from a chimney enables the crowd in St Peter's Square to know if a result has been confirmed or not. When no one has received the required majority the smoke is black. A successful candidate gets white smoke. The bells of St Peter's Basilica will also peal when a new pope is elected. The man elected by his fellow cardinals is asked, does he accept the position. If he does, then a senior cardinal will appear on the balcony overlooking the square and says to the crowd, "Habemus papam" - 'we have a pope'. Soon after that the new pope appears and blesses the crowd, and an inauguration ceremony usually takes place a few days later.
