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Two-day workshop ends
A TWO-day workshop ended in Lae on Monday with the focus on developing in-country capacity and knowledge to collect data on HIV/AIDS in PNG. The creation of the database would enable the Health Department to properly monitor HIV/AIDS patients and their progress with newly introduced anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. Chief national physician Dr Goa Tau said such a database would enable health authorities dealing with HIV/AIDS patients to act quickly when patients have problems. Dr Tau said there were now more than 1,300 people on ARV drugs in PNG with more than 90% of these people being treated at the six main sites including Port Moresby, Lae, Mt Hagen, Goroka, Rabaul (Nonga Base Hospital) and Alotau.

Court adjourns hearing
THE National Court in Lae has adjourned the hearing of submissions on sentence for an elderly man found guilty of sexually molesting his wife to give time for the community-based corrections office to provide a pre-sentence report on him. Justice Sao Gabi (right) adjourned the hearing to June 22 because he needed a pre-sentence report which he requested earlier last month to assist him decide a punishment for George Igabuasi, who is in his 40s, from Yambo village, Bukawa, Morobe province. The prisoner was found guilty of sexually molesting his wife between June 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2004, at Yambo village.

Woman arrested, charged
A MANUS woman has been arrested and charged for forgery and stealing K22,869 belonging to another man in Lae. Lae acting metropolitan commander Supt Leo Lamei said the suspect was alleged to have forged the signature of another person and withdrew K22,869.95 from that person’s account at the ANZ branch in Lae sometime between Feb 28 and April 19. Supt Lamei said police arrested and charged the suspect after receiving complaints from the victim on Monday morning.

TI PNG backs probe
TRANSPARENCY International PNG said yesterday that it supported the decision of the Foreign Affairs Department in commencing an investigation into allegations of bribery and corrupt practices within the Immigration and Citizenship section.
“It is important for the credibility of the department and honest employees that the investigation be started as soon as possible,” Mike Manning, chairman of TI PNG said in a statement yesterday.
“The payment of bribes to obtain citizenship or visas is a serious allegation and one which destroys the very fabric of integrity within any Government department,” he added.


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