The University of Goroka at Eastern Highlands province has been thrust into chaos after violent clashes erupted between students and local community members, leaving over 30 students injured, several critically. The conflict, which began as an altercation between the students and the locals that turned into an eight-hour fight starting this morning. Student Representative Council President Justin Muna who spoke to PNG HAUSBUNG, said that the incident was sparked last night when a non-residential student, attending a function hosted by a particular student association, was reportedly attacked by drunk locals while making his way to the event. The victim alerted fellow students who rushed to his aid, initiating a major confrontation with locals living near the Ato Market area. During this initial fight, students reportedly retaliated by destroying some local properties. The situation dramatically worsened this morning as locals regrouped and launched a large-scale retaliatory attack. The group headed straight for the campus, attacking students with various objects, including bows and arrows. The fighting continued for eight hours before police arrived to intervene, eventually deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds and restore order. “At this moment, we are able to confirm that over thirty students sustained injuries, including ten who suffered serious injuries and about five to six students who are in critical condition. They are currently receiving treatment at Goroka General Hospital.” Muna also confirmed that there are no deaths reported at this time. “The situation on campus remains extremely tense at this time as students, many of whom are scattered and living in fear, are awaiting further direction.” Muna also stated that the violence has had an immediate and severe impact on academic life. “The university is currently in its second week of exams, which are now badly affected and will have to be postponed indefinitely.” Students are awaiting an official statement and decision from the university administration regarding the future of the academic term under these strained circumstances. Meanwhile, the University's Vice Chancellor Dr. Teng Waninga is currently Kavieng, New Ireland province and is expected to return to the campus tomorrow to attend to the situation. Also, PNG HAUSBUNG was unable to get any updates from police on the situation after numerous calls made to the police high command in Goroka went unanswered.

As part of promoting tourism in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the community of Hanpan village in the Haku Constituency of Buka offered a truly special welcome, blending rich culture with historical interest.The ceremony, led by the Puna group at the Hanpan Resource Centre, began with the traditional foot washing ceremony, "tsutsu". Following the welcome, a series of vibrant bamboo band traditional dances were performed. The leader and group representative, Anna Sapur, guided her bamboo band through several emotional performances, including a powerful singsing that reflected on the history of the Bougainville Crisis. Sapur also demonstrated the preparation of "Menaka" (tamatama), a traditional dish reserved for special occasions. She described how the traditional dish is made which consists of taro and pure coconut cream. “After the taro is boiled, it is mashed and mixed with coconut cream, which is squeezed after the coconut is scraped. No water is added into the coconut; just pure coconut cream.” “The mixture is then rolled into round balls and drizzled with more coconut cream before being served.” After the cultural demonstration, the experience continued with a tour to the Japanese Bunkers from World War II. Located at base of Kangu hill, the area is scattered with numerous relics throughout the jungle, each marking stories from the war. Sapur explained that this site was where the Japanese military would sit to mind the ships and planes that come in whilst looking out Kangu beach. The bunkers are a significant draw for international visitors such as tourists, particularly those from Australia and New Zealand who visit the site regularly. “They come to Bougainville for a range of interests, including the historical significance of the Japanese Bunker, eco-tourism, bird watching, and the experience of shipping/sea travel.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Doctor Paki Molumi, said that the hospital has made a definitive decision, based on the advice of its clinical team, to not provide a referral letter for the conjoined twins under their care to be sent to an overseas facility.The hospital management, administration, and board have unified in their position, stating that referring the patients at this stage poses a “huge risk” due to the severity and complexity of their congenital anomalies. “The primary reason for the decision is the clinical assessment of the twins’ condition.” The twins who were born at the Angau Memorial General hospital in Morobe province, were admitted to PMGH on October 15 where they are now receiving critical care. He emphasized that the decision is “purely based on medical conditions,” not financial constraints. In terms of risk assessment, the clinical advice is that transferring the babies is a risky path. “The hospital is unwilling to take on the risks and responsibilities associated with a referral, especially considering the likelihood of the outcome remaining the same, whether the surgery is performed or not.” He further suggested that pushing for a referral, knowing the potential outcome, would give the parents false hope. Dr. Molumi said that the twins present multiple shared and defective vital organs, making any intervention extremely challenging outlining the shared organs, explaining them in layman’s terms to the parents: • One single kidney • Very small lungs (both twins) • One liver • One bladder • Shared portions of the gastrointestinal tract and rectum • One of the twins has a congenital heart disease • Spinal lesions “The babies are quite small, with a combined weight of less than three kilograms at three weeks old.” In addition, clinical advice, including consultation with Australian specialists, suggests immediate surgery is not a priority. “The twins need time to grow, be fed, and mature before any separation surgery can be considered.” He also confirmed that even before the babies arrived from Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe province, there had already been discussions about sending them to Sydney. The hospital continued these discussions with its Australian counterparts, including teams from the Sydney Children’s Hospital and visiting professor Trevor Duke from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. After taking into consideration the discussions and assessment, the hospital reached the decision that referral was a significant risk. “We have also escalated the matter to the Secretary of Health and the Australian Government, who are ready to assist if the hospital decides to proceed with a course of action like surgery that would require their support.” Despite the hospital’s official position against a formal referral, he stated that PMGH is happy to support any organization or any non-government organizations (NGOs) who are willing to take on this case and refer the twins to facilities anywhere in the world. He also stated that PMGH is willing to communicate with suitable hospitals, doctors, and surgical teams and also provide the necessary clinical information, medical reports, and medical images to support any led referral. The twins remain under the care of PMGH. They are currently tolerating feeds, with the stronger twin (Twin Two) taking up to 30ml of milk via a tube. The clinical team is managing infection and providing other appropriate treatment, such as oxygen, when needed. The parents have undergone continuous counselling by a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, paediatric anaesthetists, and social workers. The goal is to ensure the parents fully understand the complexity of the twins’ condition and the likely outcomes.

The medical team at the Port Moresby General Hospital overseeing the care of the conjoined twins admitted to the neonatology unit last month has shared a difficult prognosis, stating that the infants have a very small chance of long-term survival due to significant congenital anomalies.The announcement was made today during a press conference intended to provide the media with the most appropriate and correct information regarding the challenging case. The twins were admitted to the unit on October 15, following an evaluation by a medical team from Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe province. Since then, they have been under the continuous supervision of a team comprised of anaesthetists, intensive care staff, surgeons, and paediatric surgeons. The hospital has also engaged in multiple consultations with international counterparts. According to Director of Medical Services, Doctor Kone Sobi, they have had a number of consultations with their counterparts in Australia. These extensive discussions, including those with doctors from Sydney Hospital who have experience in separating conjoined twins, led to the unanimous decision on the current care plan. Despite public concern about transferring the babies to a specialized unit overseas, the medical team has decided against it. “The underlying thing is that both twins present with significant congenital anomalies. And we feel that even with treatment in highly specialized units, the chances of survival are very, very small.” Based on the poor prognosis, the decision has been made for the twins to remain at the local hospital, where the team will continue to provide care “as long as it’s possible.” The medical team acknowledged that an overseas transfer might seem like “the best thing” from a non-medical point of view, but their professional consensus dictates otherwise. The precarious nature of the twins' condition is due to severe malformations: • Congenital Heart Defect: One of the twins has a congenital heart defect. • Renal Agenesis: The same twin possesses only one kidney. • Pulmonary Issues: It is also believed that this twin has “healed or malformed lungs.” The situation is highly fragile, as one twin appears to be compensating for the other. “One of the twins is doing a lot of the work in terms of supplying oxygen for the heart or the other.” “It is a precarious position for both. They both depend on each other.” The immediate focus for the medical staff is that providing supportive care is ensuring the babies receive adequate nutrition, which is a top priority and infection control. “Guarding against infection is critical, as an infection affecting one twin could quickly impact both.” Dr. Sobi stressed the difficulty of the scenario, noting that it is the first time many on the team have encountered such a complex case. They also confirmed that discussions have been held with the family, who are facing the immense emotional challenge of understanding the difficult circumstances. While the current medical consensus suggests continued local care, he reiterated that if another hospital is willing to take the challenge anywhere around the world, the local team and the parents would be supported in pursuing those options.

The medical team at the Port Moresby General Hospital overseeing the care of the conjoined twins admitted to the neonatology unit last month has shared a difficult prognosis, stating that the infants have a very small chance of long-term survival due to significant congenital anomalies.The announcement was made today during a press conference intended to provide the media with the most appropriate and correct information regarding the challenging case. The twins were admitted to the unit on October 15, following an evaluation by a medical team from Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe province. Since then, they have been under the continuous supervision of a team comprised of anaesthetists, intensive care staff, surgeons, and paediatric surgeons. The hospital has also engaged in multiple consultations with international counterparts. According to Director of Medical Services, Doctor Kone Sobi, they have had a number of consultations with their counterparts in Australia. These extensive discussions, including those with doctors from Sydney Hospital who have experience in separating conjoined twins, led to the unanimous decision on the current care plan. Despite public concern about transferring the babies to a specialized unit overseas, the medical team has decided against it. “The underlying thing is that both twins present with significant congenital anomalies. And we feel that even with treatment in highly specialized units, the chances of survival are very, very small.” Based on the poor prognosis, the decision has been made for the twins to remain at the local hospital, where the team will continue to provide care “as long as it’s possible.” The medical team acknowledged that an overseas transfer might seem like “the best thing” from a non-medical point of view, but their professional consensus dictates otherwise. The precarious nature of the twins' condition is due to severe malformations: Congenital Heart Defect: One of the twins has a congenital heart defect. Renal Agenesis: The same twin possesses only one kidney. Pulmonary Issues: It is also believed that this twin has “healed or malformed lungs.” The situation is highly fragile, as one twin appears to be compensating for the other. “One of the twins is doing a lot of the work in terms of supplying oxygen for the heart or the other.” “It is a precarious position for both. They both depend on each other.” The immediate focus for the medical staff is that providing supportive care is ensuring the babies receive adequate nutrition, which is a top priority and infection control. “Guarding against infection is critical, as an infection affecting one twin could quickly impact both.” Dr. Sobi stressed the difficulty of the scenario, noting that it is the first time many on the team have encountered such a complex case. They also confirmed that discussions have been held with the family, who are facing the immense emotional challenge of understanding the difficult circumstances. While the current medical consensus suggests continued local care, he reiterated that if another hospital is willing to take the challenge anywhere around the world, the local team and the parents would be supported in pursuing those options.

The barter system, a method of direct economic exchange without the use of money, has been practiced for many years in the past. While this practice has faded in many parts of Papua New Guinea, it remains a vital lifeline for mothers trading between the Pororan island and the mothers of the mainland at the Carola market on the West Coast of Buka.This unique exchange sees island mothers swapping fish and seafood directly with mainland mothers for garden produce such as sweet potato (kaukau), bananas, and other staples.Magdelene Hakaria, a representative from the market’s steering committee, confirms that this market has been operating for many years based on the principles of the barter system.She emphasizes that the introduction of money is what typically causes the system to decline, stressing that this traditional practice must be preserved.“The mothers still practice (barter) from both sides because not many have the money to buy goods from either side, and so this system greatly helps the needs of mothers.”“We must continue to practice this just like the past generations did.”“That is why I always encourage our elders to keep this practice going. It must not die out.”Hakaria noted that many of the women, particularly those from the island, lack cash funds, making the exchange of their goods for mainland produce essential. This vital barter market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday.

The Bougainville Experience Tours (BET) has been instrumental in its success, managing the event and bringing in valuable tourism to the Bougainville Chocolate Festival since it began eight years ago.BET’s involvement goes back to “day one,” making them a long-standing partner in the festival’s growth. Based in Arawa, where their office is located, BET has taken on the crucial role of event management, particularly in their home base. Managing Director for BET Zhon Bosco Miriona, said that since this Bougainville Chocolate Festival started, Bougainville Experience Tours have been at the back of it, helping to manage the event, especially when the event was held in Arawa back then. A key function of BET is to bring tourists to the festival. “This year, their efforts include hosting an impressive contingent of international participants.” “A dedicated tour guide is currently looking after ten to twelve chocolatiers who are exploring the festival.” The focus on tourism aims to benefit the local community broadly. While cocoa is the main theme, the festival provides a platform for local mothers to sell their arts and crafts. “Our aim is to bring tourists so they can purchase some of these arts and crafts and also bring people in.” “So maybe they can be in contact with the farmers, especially for export of Bougainville cocoa.” He stated this whilst highlighting the dual purpose of tourism, which is supporting local artisans and facilitating international business connections for farmers. A significant development this year has been a request from the organisers for BET to bring a cruise ship during the festival. However, Mr. Miriona set a clear condition to make this possible is that the event needs a fixed, annual date. “We told them that the event has to have an annual date, that every year it has to happen on the same day.” “A fixed schedule is essential for the logistics of expedition vessels to commit to stopping in Bougainville, specifically Buka or Arawa, thereby ensuring a greater influx of tourists.” He stressed that consistency is crucial for the tourism sector, as international travel requires extensive planning. Mr. Miriona urged the respective department overseeing the festival to maintain the same exact date for next year and all future years. This he said allows operators like them to effectively market the dates on their platforms including social media, websites, and others, to secure international bookings and ensure the continued growth and success of the Bougainville Chocolate Festival.

What began in 2016 as a modest, one-day event focused solely on a project for DPI (Department of Primary Industry) one-time partners has blossomed into a comprehensive, three-day festival called the Bougainville Chocolate Festival. Now in its 8th year, the festival has brought together over 120 stalls comprised of cocoa farmers, SMEs, corporate entities, and agriculture stakeholders. The first day started off with people from all over Bougainville who have come to be part of this festival, either selling, buying, or engaging in activities. Chief Compliance Officer for Autonomous Bougainville Government DPI (ABGDPI), Bougainville Commodities Regulations, Mr. James Butubu, told PNG HAUSBUNG that the initial project, was designed with multiple ambitious objectives for local farmers including improving production and farm productivity, diversity farms, improve health and nutrition awareness and to provide market access for farmers to connect with outside farmers. The original festival aimed to provide a direct avenue for farmers to showcase their beans, with the hope that attending outside buyers and chocolatiers would establish valuable partnerships and market connections. “This strategy saw early success, connecting some local farmers with chocolate makers in Australia.” However, the limited, one-day format quickly proved inadequate. farmers expressed a need for more time and more information. “We have views from the farmers complaining that they are not getting the right or enough information during this one day.” To meet this demand and broaden its scope, the festival was expanded to its current three-day format, transforming it into a significantly larger show. The festival has evolved beyond a pure cocoa event to become a central hub for economic activity, tourism, and governmental outreach. The focus remains on the farmers, who are the "central part of the festival," with significant investment made to bring 114 farmers from the South, Central, and North areas of Bougainville to attend. This 3-day festival aims to give farmer exposure and learning where farmers are encouraged to circulate and engage with not just cocoa-related programs but also other SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) programs and government information. “The event is seen as a crucial opportunity for the average village farmer to gain exposure and information they might otherwise never access.” With a number of areas to consider, this event allows organizers to better emphasize efforts in targeted extension programmes and to address challenges and improve cocoa quality across the board. Information sharing and collaboration is a main area which includes discussions on cocoa regulations and quality issues which were instrumental, and give a platform towards all farmers to come together to sell and getter better exposure to their products. “The festival serves as a vital platform for learning from each other and identifying collective weaknesses that need attention.” Meanwhile, in terms of tourism, the festival now actively considers the broader economic impact and the development of the tourism industry in the region. The inclusion of all ABG departments signifies a major expansion, ensuring comprehensive information is available in solidifying its role as a key development platform. The festival is no longer just a meeting point for cocoa buyers and sellers; it is a dynamic, multi-faceted platform designed to empower farmers, drive quality improvement, and stimulate wider economic and sectorial development. The festival will conclude this Friday, the 31st of October 2025.

The Bougainville Chocolate Festival is set to kick off tomorrow, October 28, 2025, for a three-day celebration of cocoa, culture, and tourism.Running until October 30 at the Hutjena Oval, the seventh annual event promises to be a key economic and cultural highlight for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The festival’s origins date back to 2016 when it was launched as the "Cocoa Festival" by the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development. A significant shift occurred in 2018 when the name was officially changed. This rebranding strengthened its ties to the PNG-Australia Government’s Bougainville Partnership Program, which now co-funds the event alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Commerce. The Bougainville Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority (BACTA) is central to the festival’s organization. According to BACTA Website and Information Officer Marcia Jeraha, the authority’s primary goal is to use the event to increase visitor arrivals. “BACTA's main role is to promote the chocolate festival as a major tourism attraction here in Bougainville.” “In the future, we will have more visitors coming in, not only for the festival, but also to see the other tourism hotspots in Bougainville as well.” The festival features a confirmed number of 120 stalls, which were fully booked and began setting up today, October 27. The stalls represent a diverse array of corporate entities, SMEs, and agriculture stakeholders. Visitors can look forward to a range of cultural and industry exhibits: • Cultural Demonstrations: The North Bougainville Tourism Association and Bougainville Artisans Association will display traditional Bougainville food and host demonstrations of basket weaving, including the preparation of the traditional dish, tamatama. • Industry Deep Dive: The Department of Primary Industries’ stalls will be "showcasing the cocoa value chain," highlighting the journey from bean to finished product. • Information Hub: BACTA's Information Hub will provide details on all of Bougainville’s tourism attractions and industry co-operators. The festival will officially open on Tuesday morning with welcoming remarks from government leaders and development partners, culminating in a keynote address by President Ishmael Toroama. Festival Highlights include: • Live Demonstrations: Showcases of the cocoa value chain by the ABG Department of Primary Industries. • Farmer Seminars: Information sharing and learning sessions with industry experts. • Competitions: Including the popular Cocoa Budding Competition and Big Pod Competition. • Entertainment: Live music from the local KAWAS Band and a dedicated Kids Corner with games and activities. Meanwhile, an information booth will be located next to the main stage, where festival-goers can visit to receive Festival merchandise.

The Government of Papua New Guinea has embarked on a significant electoral reform journey aimed at transforming its democratic process before the 2027 General Elections. Spearheaded by the Minister for Administrative Services, Richard Masere, the initiative focuses on establishing a credible electronic electoral roll and migrating to biometric and electronic voting (E-Voting) technologies. The reform was initiated through a week-long workshop currently underway at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, gathering key representatives from the Judiciary, the Electoral Commission, the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Civil and Identity Registry (NID), and international partners. This ambitious agenda is a direct response to a directive from Prime Minister James Marape, seeking to establish a “single source of truth” for the electoral roll. It aims to tackle critical issues that have eroded public confidence, such as voter impersonation, duplicate registrations, and delayed counting processes. Minister Masere outlined the reform journey around four critical priorities, which necessitate the reorganization of the NSO, NID, and the PNG Electoral Commission under his portfolio to ensure streamlined progress. The four priority areas are: 1. National Population Census: To establish a reliable population number after a 13-year lapse. The NSO received funding in the 2024 budget to conduct a National Population Count using electronic data collection methods. 2. Reliable Voting Population Data: The goal is to accurately determine the number of citizens aged 18 and older registered with a National Identity (NID) card. With the eligible population estimated at 5.9 million, only 2.8 million NID cards have been issued, leaving a critical shortfall of 3.1 million citizens who must be registered. 3. Credible Electronic Electoral Roll: Data from the NID and the national census will be integrated to create a reliable electronic electoral roll for the PNG Electoral Commission before the 2027 General Elections. 4. Migration to Modern Voting Technology: The final stage involves transitioning from the traditional paper-based system to a combination of biometric and/or electronic voting to restore credibility to the electoral process. Biometric technology, which uses fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans, is a powerful tool to protect electoral integrity and combat common problems like inflated electoral rolls. Minister Masere stated that in a country like PNG, where geography and infrastructure present significant challenges, biometric voting introduces “precision and accountability.” “It ensures that every voter’s identity is verified accurately, eliminating impersonations, multiple voting and fraudulent use of another voter's name or voter's identification (ID).” He added that capturing biometric data will also cleanse and strengthen the electoral roll, removing ghost names, duplicate entries and records of deceased residents. “The result is a credible, verified roll of living citizens, a foundation of trust for every election that follows.” Furthermore, Masere highlighted the efficiency and inclusivity benefits. “At polling stations, biometric verification will speed up the process, reducing queues and waiting times compared to manually searching printed lists.” Crucially, for rural citizens who may be unable to read, write, or sign their names, the biometric system will provide greater accessibility and inclusivity. The Minister encouraged broad participation in the workshop, emphasizing the national importance of the reforms. “With biometric and electronic voting technology we can ensure that every vote is protected, every citizen is empowered, and every election upholds the principles of democracy.”

The Papua New Guinea government is taking urgent steps to fix the flawed Organic Law on the Sovereign Wealth Fund (OLSWF), which has prevented the SWF from becoming operational since its enactment in 2015. Minister for Rural and Economic Development, Joseph Lelang, sought and received directions from the National Executive Council (NEC) to revise the law. He stressed that a properly established SWF is vital for macroeconomic stabilization through improved foreign exchange and cashflow management, and for saving funds for future generations. According to Minister Lelang, the current design is critically flawed, particularly regarding the: • Stabilization Fund Withdrawal Formula, which is inconsistent with the government's fiscal consolidation strategy. • Dividend Policy. To address these issues and operationalize the fund, Cabinet has established a Technical Team under Minister Lelang's Ministry. • Lead: The team will be headed by Mr. Ian Tarutia as the Chief Technical Advisor. • Composition: Members include experts from the Department of Treasury, Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), Department of Attorney General, Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH), KPMG, and others. • Funding: The NEC approved an initial K3 million to support the team’s work. The Technical Team has been given six months to complete consultations and draft two key legislative documents: 1. Amended Organic Law on SWF (OLSWF): This will be simplified to make it more general and to guide the overall establishment of the fund. 2. SWF Enabling Legislation: This new law will contain the detailed operational policies currently missing or flawed in the OLSWF. Key specifics to be included are: • Agreed dividend payment policy. • Investment and expenditure strategies. • Asset risk management strategies. • Recruitment and appointment processes. • Specific powers and functions of the Minister, Board, and CEO. • A trigger mechanism for releasing funds to stabilize government cashflow under the Stabilization sub-fund. The amendments and the new enabling legislation are scheduled to go before Parliament for approval next year. The government’s goal is to have the SWF commence operations before the 2027 National Elections.

The National Department of Health (NDoH) sworn in a total of nineteen new members of the National Health Board of Papua New Guinea today. The event saw members of the Senior Executive Management of the NDoH as well as representatives from development partners and senior health officials. Minister for Health Elias Kapavore who was present to officially commission the new board, said that this occasion, marked an important milestone in their ongoing efforts to strengthen the governance and policy oversight body in the health sector. “Its establishment functions and powers are derived from the National Health Administration Act 1997, as amended in 2023, which provides the legal framework for effective coordination, accountability, and strategic direction across the national health system.” According to Minister Kapavore, under Section 8 to 10 of the Act, the Board is mandated to advise the Minister for Health on health policy matters, approve the National Health Plan and other sectoral policies/plans, monitor their implementation, and promote collaboration between government, churches, the private sector, civil society, and the provincial health authorities. “The Board plays a central role in shaping the direction of our health system ensuring that every decision taken at the national level contributes to better health outcomes for our people.” In addition, Minister Kapavore also acknowledged the outgoing Board which served with dedication from 2021 to 2024. Under their leadership of former Chairman Dr Osborne Liko, major policy frameworks were endorsed including the National Health Plan 2021-2030, the revised National Health Service Standards 2021-2030 the Health Medium Term Development Plan 2023-2027, the National Maternal and Newborn Health Strategy, and the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis 2023-2027, among many others. “Their commitment provided stability and strategic focus during a period marked by significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing health system reforms.” “On behalf of the Government, I extend my sincere appreciation to all members of the outgoing Board for their service to our nation.” The Commissioning of the Board also saw the swearing in of Private Health Representative Dr. Mathias Sapuri as the new Chairman. Other members of the new board included: • Mr. Ken Wai, Acting Secretary for Health (ex officio) • Mr. John Wohiemani, Department of Finance • Mr. E'ava Geita, Department of Justice and Attorney General • Mr. Philip Leo, Department of Provincial & Local Government Affairs • Dr Sergie Bang, Department of Agriculture & Livestock • Mr. Jude Tukuliya, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority • Professor William Pomat, Director, PNG Institute of Medical Research • Mr. Ulch Tapia, CEO, Churches Health Services of PNG • Mr. David Guinn, PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Mrs. Sabeth Yengis, National Council of Women • Ms. Katherine Johnston, Public Hospitals Representative • Dr Paul Sali, PNG Medical Board and Nursing Council • Mr. David Wissink, Provincial Health Authority Representative • Sr Jadwiga Faliszek, Catholic Church Health Services • Ms. Arianne Kassman, Transparency International PNG (Civil Society Representative) Minister Kapavore welcomed all new members and urged that all work in partnership to strengthen the delivery of quality health care services in the country. Furthermore, he stated that the Government expects the new Board to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and professionalism. “Your leadership will be critical in guiding the implementation of the National Health Plan 2021-2030, driving reforms under the National Health Administration (Amendment) Act 2023, and ensuring alignment with our broader development priorities under the Medium-Term Development Plan IV.” “As Minister, I pledge the full support of my Office and the National Department of Health.” “Let us work in true partnership to strengthen the delivery of quality health services and to ensure that no Papua New Guinean is left behind in accessing essential healthcare.”