The St John Ambulance celebrated the National St John. Day in its 65 years of service in Papua New Guinea on Friday 24th June at their headquarters in Port Moresby. St John Ambulance has been supporting the local communities by operating and providing a free emergency ambulance service, first aid education and volunteers services. These have proven to be vitally important in improving our healthcare and supporting better health outcomes for the people of PNG. Chief Executive Officer, Matt Cannon in his speech to staff this morning urged staff to reflect on how you have contributed to the mission of saving lives and providing communities with excellence in health care and health education. “Take time to deeply reflect on the contribution you are making to the St John team and achieving our shared mission to serve others. You should be proud of the work do every day in saving lives” “Our sincere thanks to the supporters and partners of St John for their tireless efforts in aiding and supplementing the vital lifeline St John extends through its ambulance services.” The National St john Ambulance Council of PNG would like to congratulate and commend all its hardworking ambulance officers, staff, and volunteers in NCD and our regional stations around the country. “65 years in the country is a milestone success. Today should remind us of all the work we do and the service we provide for our fellow citizens of Papua New Guinea.” The St John day was commemorated with a staff luncheon and sporting fun games and activities for rest of the day.

On Sunday 25th June the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) learned that one container of empty metal ballot boxes for Southern Highlands that was being transported by the PNGEC logistics team to Hela was intercepted by the police in Mendi and is currently being held at Mendi Police Station together with containers of additional non-sensitive election materials. The PNGEC Commissioner Mr. Simon Sinai wishes to explain the circumstances of this delivery and to confirm that on 22 June 2022, he instructed that the PNGEC logistics convoy redirect two containers of empty metal ballot boxes from Southern Highlands to Hela and Enga Provinces for the following reasons: Due to an ongoing 2017 election petition, SHP was not able to access the containers to obtain non-disputed empty metal ballot boxes at the time of dispatch of strategic materials, therefore the PNGEC sent three containers of empty metal ballot boxes to SHP. Whilst these containers were in transit to SHP, approval to access the containers in SHP occurred and as a result the stock take of empty ballot boxes was confirmed. Accordingly, SHP would no longer need all three containers of empty metal ballot boxes that were being transported to SHP on top of the stocks in the province. During this time, the PNGEC identified that Hela and Enga Provinces required empty metal ballot boxes due to the delayed arrival of metal ballot boxes allocated to them. Therefore, I made a decision and instructed the convoy to redirect one container of empty metal ballot boxes to Hela Province and another container to Enga Province to ensure that these provinces will have enough ballot boxes when polling starts in these areas on 4th July 2022. Southern Highlands polling begins on 8Th July and a further planned shipment of empty metal ballot boxes is already on its way to arrive in time for polling. Sinai also states that there was no improper or unauthorized diversion of empty ballot boxes. Everything that was done was in accordance with his instructions and in line with his authority as the Electoral Commissioner. He says that sensitive election materials (such as ballot papers, ink, candidate posters and rolls) were not included in these containers. Sensitive election materials have already been delivered to the provinces primarily via air transport. PNGEC appreciates that the security of election materials is of upmost importance, and he wishes to thank the police for their efforts to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, whilst allowing PNGEC to clarify the instructions surrounding the transportation of those two containers.

The National Control Centre for the governments COVID-19 Pandemic response is still in full operations says Deputy Pandemic Response Controller, Dr Daoni Esorom. Despite the recent closure of the NCD Provincial Health Authority of COVID-19 activities in NCD, the center, is still in operation releasing daily updates that are circulated widely and managing the national pandemic response. The NCC has 11 clusters fully in operation these includes Incident Management, surveillance &rapid response, laboratory, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), Niupla Pasin, Clinical Management, Infection, Control and Prevention, Vaccine and testing, Partner Coordination, Provincial Response Coordination and Call Centre. The Laboratory team recently activated MT Hagen PCR laboratory and conducted trainings with support from WHO and other key partners working with NDoH, NCC and CPHL. Mt Hagen has successfully performed the first batch of testing with 15 samples. These samples will be referred to CPHL for confirmation and genomic sequencing at Doherty Institute. All Highlands provinces are encouraged to continue testing per national testing algorithm, and refer samples to Mt Hagen or CPHL as a surge laboratory. Meanwhile The Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE) teams at both National and Provincial levels besides rolling out of the Health Care workers training in Gulf, Madang, West Sepik and East Sepik have also supported awareness and dissemination of preventive practice messages to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the election period. The distribution of the COVID-19 IEC materials by POST PNG is in progress with support from UNICEF. Over 70% of the pprovinces and 22 partners have received their IEC materials consignments. The remaining deliveries are being monitored closely. In Northern pprovince (8) participants (health-care workers) received their COVID-19 vaccination. The Oro PHA successfully conducted a one-week long Provincial Training of Trainers for COVID-19 for 36 participants with support from NDoH, Save the Children and UNICEF. These trainers will roll out the Health Care worker training in Oro. According to PNG’s COVID update as of 19th June 2022, PNG has officially reported a cumulative total of 44,691 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 658 COVID-19 confirmed deaths. There were 30 new confirmed cases reported during the week, with all 27 cases from Enga, East New Britain, National Capital District (NCD) and Hela. From week ending June 24 Covid-19 vaccination over 277,913 people are fully vaccinated, and over 337,243 people have been vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The country is generally experiencing low testing for COVID-19 at the moment.

The Rita Fylnn Complex (RFC) is opened for COVID-19 testing and other services in the National Capital District (NCD). Deputy Controller for the National Pandemic response Dr Daoni Esorom clarified that the complex was opened on the June 16, 2022, after a meeting with the NCD Provincial Health Authority (PHA) Team and the Sports Foundation CEO. During the meeting, I have given directives for them to open the complex. So, there is no issue with the RFC and it is opened and the workers from NCD PHA were directed to go in there and continue to operate their COVID-19 services. The Pandemic Controller David Manning had also directed the PNG Sports Foundation to open the RFC to ensure the COVID-19 services continue to be provided at the FRC in a directive dated 21 June 2022. I have had several discussions with the Sports Foundation CEO to see how best NCC and other partners can support the Sports Foundations to rehabilitate the facility as part of our COVID-19 recovery roadmap. And I reiterate again the Sports Facility is opened. Its now the responsibility of the NCD PHA to continue on the services there including all the other COVID-19 services in other health facilities in the city. According to PNGs COVID-19 update as of June 24, 2022, there were 30 new cases reported in the last 7 days. Enga has reported 27, Western Highlands has reported 1, East New Britain 1 and NCD 1. There is a new cumulative total 44,691 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in PNG with 658 cumulative confirmed deaths and 30 new confirmed cases reported in the week 13 – 19 June, 2022. Over 277,913 people are fully vaccinated, and over 337,243 people have been vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Electoral Commissioner  Simon Sinai says 2022 National General Election campaigns will end this week and public rallies and campaigning will officially stop on Friday 1st July 2022 and voting commences next Monday. He said candidates have this week to polish up and do their final campaigning and get their message to their voters. Mr. Sinai said all campaign activities including movement of people and staging rallies will end on Friday and urge candidates to observe and respect our electoral laws by removing loud hailers and speakers mounted on their vehicles after Friday in readiness for polling which starts on July 4th 2022. The commissioner said polling will not be conducted on Saturday and Sunday (July 2-3), as these are considered days of worship and is protected by law. "Unlike the past elections, we have seen a generally peaceful election campaign this year, though there were some minor disturbances disruption in some parts of the country. This simple demonstrated that our people are becoming more aware and understand what election is more about.  They know who they want to vote for and already decided on their preferences. And that's the beauty about Limited Preferential Voting system we have, where are voter has three different choices of equal value." he said. The Commissioner said fighting for support and territory  became a major issue in the past under the old First Past Post System , However, the current LPV System has done away with the problems of the past and laid a strong foundation for both the candidate and  supporters to work together and share their preferences , so a popular candidate wins through the elimination process and or on first preference count. Mr. Sinai said polling stations through the country will open on Monday 4th of July and voting will commence at 8am with the formation of two separate lines for male and female voters. "Gender split in both the voter roll and the polling booths are the first since Independence and it is done purely to protect the rights of our female voters to ensure they have a fair say when it comes to voting without intimidation and undue influences ," the Commissioner said. Mr. Sinai appeal to the voters to take ownership and respect the process and allow voting run smoothly wihtout any problems.  

For the first time in Papua New Guinea, and in the Pacific Region, a national guideline is being developed that considers the potential of condom programming in contributing to sustainable development, putting the rights, needs and aspiration of all sexually active individual at the center. The guidelines are being developed for the National Department of Health and the National Aids Council. Facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Comprehensive Condom Programming Strategy (CCPS) Strategic & Result Framework Workshop held last Friday had important stakeholders discussing the future of CCPS in PNG by contextualizing the strategy into PNG and reviewing how best the strategy can be implemented across the country. UNFPA Deputy Representative Rena Dona said the Comprehensive Condom Programming is part of a 10 step strategic approach, an approach developed by the UNFPA in 2011 to scale up condom comprehensive programming. “This document is useful because it encourages multi-stakeholder participation,” said Ms Dona. “Most importantly, the ultimate responsibility for decision making and implementation is in the hands of National partners.” “Male and female condoms are key in protecting people against sexually transmitted infections including HIV and is the best approach for both family planning and prevention of HIV and other STDs. It is like a two prompt objective.” According to the Acting Director of National Aids Council Secretariat, Mr. Tony Lupiwa, condom promotion has always been the main HIV/Aids prevention program in Papua New Guinea, but usage is not sustained, there are problems with availability of condoms and their transportation to every community. “There was a need for a guideline in the country to ensure the sustainability of condoms and the access to them by everyone,” Mr. Tony said. “Condoms have always been around and it is through such guidelines as the CCPS that we can best identify how to improve availability and access. We must review, finalize and then disseminate this strategy to the rest of the country.” “Condom programming is not just about preventing STIs, including HIV and unplanned pregnancies, it’s about giving individuals the freedom to decide how to protect themselves and plan for their future.” This strategy will also be taking into consideration existing HIV programs ensuring they are being supported and implementing partners will be working closely with NDOH & NAC. The components of the Strategy will include capacity programming of HIV, the Condomize Campaign which begins in POM & Alotau in September, and mobile and family planning clinics. It is designed to not only align itself to government priority development plans but to be considered as a strategy for population policy and programmes aimed at achieving poverty eradication, sustained economic growth, human resource development whereby comprehensive protection and support are central to strengthening families. The expected outcome following the CCPS is to reach a consensus that will result in a framework from 2022-2031. Once the strategy is approved and endorsed by the government, the NAC and NDOH will own the strategy and have it implemented through Provincial Health Authorities and other NGOS that provide SRH programs. “The PHA’s will be implementing it at provincial, district and community levels, NGOs such as World Vision, Marie Stopes, FHI 360, Catholic Health Services, and other private sectors that deal with SRH programs. “

Sapotim Lida is a new Australian funded initiative that will contribute to gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), including promoting women’s leadership in the health system at both the national and provincial levels. The program was launched at the National Health Plan 2021-2023 Regional Consultation Workshop on 23 June 2022 at the APEC Haus. Sapotim Lida aims to strengthen women’s leadership in PNG’s health sector and will empower provincial health authorities (PHAs) and the National Department of Health (NDoH) to select and implement important GEDSI initiatives. Sapotim Lida will assist leaders to implement workplace GEDSI policies, and leadership training, work in partnership with women’s and disabled persons’ organizations, enable male advocacy networks and broaden GEDSI awareness in the health workforce. The Australian High Commission representative, Dr. Lara Andrews said, “By committing to support women, people with disabilities and others from socially marginalized groups in leadership positions, we ensure diversity of voices in decision making and this creates a stronger health sector, and this helps us all to deliver a better and more equitable service for the people of PNG”. The program is supported by the PNG–Australia Partnership and will be delivered under the PNG-Australia Transition to Health (PATH) program through a 3-year investment of AUD 6.3 million and implemented by CARE International PNG from 2022 to 2025. PATH works in six provinces – West Sepik, East New Britain, Morobe, Western, Western Highlands, and the Bougainville Department of Health – to lead reform efforts and manage the delivery of quality essential services in a manner that is effective, efficient, and equitable. Sapotim Lida will include a GEDSI Hub that will provide support for the six provinces and the NDoH. The GEDSI Hub will be led by Care International Director Gayle Tasti who brings a wealth of knowledge on women’s issues in the different levels of PNG society.

Hekari United FC's attempt to represent the country at the OFC Champions League challenge in New Zealand fell short on the weekend after a classy Lae City FC sent the red outfits home with a narrow 2-1 victory. The David-Muta-coached Hekari side looked lethal and more organized in the first part of the match dominating possession and rewarding themselves to an early lead with a goal right on the half time whistle off the boots of Obert Simon. The visitors from Lae held on in the early part of the second half at PNG Football Stadium denying any more attempts from the in-form Hekari side, equally matching the upbeat ball play until substitute Mathew David inserted his teams first goal for the match to equalize the score line. The match was down to the wire, as both teams displayed some quality football, playing their hearts out until David blasted his second to confirm their spot at the OFC challenge. Lae City coach Bob Morris said the first half of the match was worrisome for him but he was confident of a come back in the other half and told the Lae boys to play the basics and that’s exactly what they displayed in the latter half to come home. The Lae team will now focus on their campaign towards the OFC champions league come November in New Zealand.

Air Niugini Destinations Loyalty members have the opportunity to earn Loyalty points when they purchase any of the four Eligible Insurance Policies through Pacific MMI Insurance Limited. This follows the renewal of partnership between the two organizations in Port Moresby recently, bringing the total Destinations corporate partners now to 12. The Eligible Insurance Policies cover Home Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance. The extended two-year partnership between Air Niugini’s loyalty program and Pacific MMI aims to encourage members to use Pacific MMI services to insure themselves and their assets and also to strengthen the partnership between both State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Alabaster said the joint partnership demonstrates the importance of SOEs working together for and on behalf of the government to promote growth and development in all areas of business. He said, “Air Niugini is grateful to be supporting Pacific MMI in this joint venture. The insurance sector, as we all understand helps provides financial security for individual staff and families during difficult times. For those Loyalty Program members who are yet to be insured and may be planning on doing so, this maybe an opportunity for you and your family.” Mr Alabaster also encouraged Pacific MMI members who are not part of the Destinations Loyalty program to sign up to be eligible to earn Loyalty points through this partnership. Destinations members must present their membership card or quote their membership number with a form of identification when paying for the Eligible Insurance Policies in order to earn Loyalty points. Pacific MMI Limited Chief Executive Officer, Mr Karl Hamann said, “Air Niugini being the premier airline in PNG, we are pleased to renew our partnership with the national airline. This is aligned to our purpose of making insurance relevant and accessible to all Papua New Guineans.” Pacific MMI is one of the largest insurers in PNG and has been operating here since 1998. It is 100% Government owned, holds both General and Life insurance licenses and offers range of personal, commercial and corporate insurance products. Pacific MMI is the third SOE to partner with Air Niugini apart from Telikom Limited through the Destinations Loyalty Program and Post PNG Limited that came on board as a sales agent for Air Niugini tickets. Air Niugini’s Destinations Loyalty Program currently has over 123,000 active members since it was launched in August 2009.

Over the weekend, Navy ship HMPNGS Lakekamu successfully transported three RPNGC armored vehicles and other vital election materials from Port Moresby to Lae. The PNGDF Landing Craft left the shores of Port Moresby on Tuesday 24th June and sailed all the way to Milne Bay, Popondetta and finally arrived in Lae to deliver the election items. The three armored vehicles were than driven out of the ship and given to members of the RPNGC who were at the wharf to receive the vehicles. RPNGC Acting officer in charge for Transport Sergeant Manu Volu thanked the rest of the HMPNGS navy crews for successfully transporting the three vehicles over to Lae. The vehicles will be driven to Mt Hagen and will be used to provide security during the poling and counting period. [caption id="attachment_23020" align="alignnone" width="906"] LCH Lakekamu Second in Command Sub Lieutenant Erick Yakom Aikung handing over the armoured vehicle keys to Officer In Charge for RPNGC Transport Sergeant Manu Volu at the Lae main wharf on Saturday. Picture by PNGDF CIMIC Team.[/caption] HMPNGS Lakekamu left the shores of Lae the same day and sailed to Popondettea. On board are two RPNGC small patrol boats that were loaded again in Lae to be delivered to Popondetta to assist in the election. HMPNGS Commanding Officer Lieutenant (Navy) Bryan Pohai is very confident about his ship performance with his sailors on board. “The trip has been good, we have been getting enough support from maritime cell back in Port Moresby, National Surveillance Center and today we will be establishing contact with the joint Task Force headquarters in Lae. The ship itself is a 40 plus years old ship and at times we are faced minor defects in the engine but thanks to our good and experienced engineering sailors that managed to fix the engine,” said Commanding Officer Pohai. [caption id="attachment_23021" align="alignnone" width="906"] RPNGGC armored vehicle ready to be driven out from LCH Lakekamu in Lae on Satureday. Picture by PNGDF CIMIC Team[/caption] He said on board HMPNGS Lakemu are a team of 25 sailors plus three embedded personnel which are two navy divers and an intelligence officer participating in this election operation. This adds up to 28 personnel on board. Team Lakekamu will be patrolling the shores of Morobe, Popondeta and Milne Bay waters to assist in providing security and logistical support during the election time.  

Sir Julius Chan, Governor of New Ireland, last Thursday, 25th June 2022 joined many others to express his sincere sadness and sorrow at the passing of Sir Peter Barter. “Sir Peter was a giant of Papua New Guinea,” Sir Julius said. “He was literally the Father of Tourism in Papua New Guinea. Sir Peter took over the Madang Hotel just one year after Independence, in 1976, and transformed it into the Madang Resort. He made the Madang Resort the premier resort in Papua New Guinea, probably in the western Pacific.” “Sir Peter also established a shipping company that takes tourists to many areas of Papua New Guinea, including  the Sepik River area.” Sir Julius continued, saying “Though Sir Peter was a great businessman, he was also much more. He was a selfless person. He constantly put his resources to the use of the country, and to the use of the people of the country. When Tavurvur volcano erupted in 1994 in Rabaul, Sir Peter piloted his own helicopter to survey the area. He did the same thing after the eruption of the volcano on Manam Island, in Madang Province. Again, he provided vitally needed support, assisting the government to survey a suitable location for the resettlement of the Manam Islanders. “Sir Peter’s concern for the people of Madang and Papua New Guinea was truly exceptional” Sir Julius said. “In 1980 he established the Melanesian Foundation, which provides direct support to rural areas of the country. Sir Peter did not only take tourists to see some of the more remote areas of Papua New Guinea, he also made certain that the people who lived in those areas received support as well. The Melanesian Foundation has provided thousands of school desks to those areas, as well as other educational and health services, including books, rural clinics and other important support.” “Sir Peter was a caring Governor for Madang, serving from 1997 to 2002. During that time, he also served the entire country as Minister for Health. He was a player in the peace process on Bougainville, and I am grateful for his calm and wise counsel and actions.” “More than anything,” Sir Julius said, ‘I want to say what a good friend Sir Peter was. He was a great friend, a man who knew the value of hard work and who never shirked from doing whatever was needed to complete a job, particularly when it involved making life better for his people. And many was the time that I had the pleasure of hearing Sir Peter play the piano – and he was an excellent piano player.” "On behalf of my wife, Lady Stella, my family, and all the people of New Ireland, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Sir Peter’s family and friends on this sad and difficult occasion. I only hope that all of you will find some comfort in the fact that while Sir Peter may have been born in Australia, he was a Papua New Guinean in his heart and soul. He was a blessing to his province, his country, and his friends.” Sir Julius concluded saying “People like Sir Peter come along very rarely, and I, and the people of Papua New Guinea, will truly miss him. We thank God for sending him to us and for the time we were able to spend together.’

A total of 309 reserve police recruits graduated after completing five weeks of training at the Bomana Police College in Port Moresby in time for election security duties. The 309 graduates, which included 123 women, are Police Reserve Intake 2 of 2022. Commissioner of Police David Manning, who officiated at the graduation parade, said the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is taking all necessary steps to train competent and model citizens in their respective communities. Mr. Manning said the graduation ceremony was significant because in the Constabulary’s endeavors to rebuild the force it has also recognized the need to improve on how it can effectively deliver better policing services to the country. He said the graduation also marks the gradual build-up of reserve numbers up to 5,000 strong in the coming years. Mr. Manning said the reserve recruits had undergone police work ethics, community policing, basic investigation, police arrest procedures, other police roles and responsibilities and electoral offences. He said they have come from different parts of the country and after this graduation they will be handed over to their respective Provincial Police Commanders including Motu-Koitabu Local level government in the National Capital District to deploy for the 2022 National General Election. Commissioner Manning told the police reserve graduates, “You are now part of an organization that has a long and proud history. As an organization we have existed, in one form or another, under German, British, Japanese and Australian rule over the last 134 years.” The Commissioner told the members on parade that under section 197 of the PNG constitution, the functions of the RPNGC is to preserve peace and good order and to maintain and enforce the law in an impartial and objective manner in the country. Mr. Manning told the reservists that they have all the powers and functions of a regular member of the Constabulary, however, he said this comes with responsibilities. He said the constitution provides for basic, fundamental and qualified rights of citizens and as officers of the law they are obligated to honour the PNG Constitution and protect and uphold the rights of the people whilst exercising their duties. “Every time you wear the uniform is to protect and serve the people of this country. As police officers we must always be mindful of those rights guaranteed under the constitution and ensure that we at all times accord respect to the rights of our citizens. Be disciplined and professional at all times. Live according to the police code of conduct and our code of ethics,” Mr Manning told the 309 members of Police Recruit Intake 2 of 2022.