HEALTH INTRODUCTION:

HEALTH IN EASTERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE  by Prof. JOHN REEDER

Despite the many very positive aspects of life in Papua New Guinea, the difficulties of service delivery in remote rural settings, the burden of tropical infectious diseases and the relatively low  budget available for health, means that the general health status of the population remains poor.

The health problems of  Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) reflect the national trend, with the particular concerns being childhood death from infectious diseases and risk to women in childbirth. The major disease problem in the province is bacterial pneumonia in children. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but rural living conditions, nutritional status and high carriage rates of causative bacteria certainly contribute. Ongoing work at the Institute of Medical Research in Goroka investigating vaccines against respiratory  infections provides a ray of hope of tackling this serious issue in the future. Malaria is the largest burden of disease on the country as a whole, but is less of a problem in EHP, as the high altitude interferes with transmission from the mosquito. Goroka and  the other major population centres in EHP are above the malaria transmission height, but there are still pockets of malaria transmission on the fringes of the highlands as the mountains start to drop to the coast and in some deep valley areas. Highlanders growing up in EHP do not have the exposure to malaria as they grow up and so do not develop immunity, consequently much of the malaria seen at the EHP health facilities is contracted during visits to the coast.

Notes for travellers  

The lack of malaria transmission in the urban centres and the socio-economic background of the major health problems makes EHP a very safe area to visit from a health context. As with the rest of PNG, vaccination against Hepatitis A and B is recommended and periodic outbreaks of typhoid make typhoid vaccine wise. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary for travellers coming through Port Moresby to stay in Goroka, though if any fever arises within a few weeks of visiting your doctor should exclude the rare possibility of malaria. If you are planning to visit remote rural areas or combine the visit with a trip to the coast, see your travel physician for recommendations on anti-malarial prophylaxis.

INSTITUTIONS

The PNG Institute of Medical Research

Goroka hosts the headquarters of the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR). This internationally renowned institution is a statutory body of the PNG government with the function of informing national health policies through research on national health priorities. The major PNGIMR programs reflect the major health problems of the country:  mosquito-borne diseases, respiratory diseases, sexual health, disease surveillance, infectious diseases and therapies, and operational (health action) research. The institute has built an excellent reputation for publishing medical research of global significance, while working on local problems. More about the institute can be found at www.pngimr.org.pg .

GOROKA BASE HOSPITAL

OTHER PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS

 MT. SION EYE CARE CLINIC
 DR. BOONE'S PRIVATE SURGERY
 



EYE CARE - MT SION CENTRE FOR THE BLIND

Mount Sion Centre for the Blind and Disabled Persons is a Catholic run educational institution for the handicapped, especially the deaf and blind. It is here that they are taught the basic techniques of effective communication, using sign language and reading and typing in Braille. With these skills, they are able to communicate confidently  with  their kind and to a wider audience.

Located along the Okuk Highway (one of Papua New Guinea's National Highways) and a 20 minute drive out of Goroka Town towards Kainantu,  the Mt Sion Centre is nestled in a serene and peaceful landscape that is an ideal learning environment.

Being a boarding school, this allows the blind and deaf from across the country to have access to this well-renowned school, forging better communication amongst the deaf and blind community and their society.

With specially dedicated staff and administration, this is truly a conducive learning environment and a "home away from home" for these special people.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mt Sion Centre for the Blind and Disabled Persons
PO Box 1068, Goroka; Phone: (675) 732 2850; Fax: (675) 732 3189 or 
Email: cfcmtsion@global.net.pg

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