Medical events get backing from gaming board

THE NATIONAL Gaming and Control Board presented K400,000 on behalf of the prime minister to fund two medical events in the next few weeks.
Board chief executive Imelda Agon said the Government was committed to improving the level of health through those involved with research at the PNG Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and medical practitioners.
“Those who deliver essential preventive and curative health services to the people of Papua New Guinea, particularly those living in rural areas,” Agon said.
The two major medical events are the 50th anniversary of PNG IMR Colloquium to be held at University of Goroka from August 28 to 30 to celebrate 50 years of medical research with existing partners and past staff with other international scientists.
The other event is the PNG Medical Symposium to be held at the Divine Word University from Sept 2 to 6 where more than 500 delegates were expected to attend. Sir Peter Barter, patron of the Medical Symposium, said both meetings were timely as there had been an increase of in malaria by 400 per cent.
“The re-emergence of polio along with increases in tuberculosis (TB), specially the strain that is resistant to current treatment,” Barter said.
“The low rates of immunisation is another concern which needs to be addressed.”
He said the level of testing for HIV had reduced and that we should not continue to live in a state of denial.
“Many thousands of Papua New Guineans were unaware of their status and there needs to be an increase in testing so we are aware of the prevalence.”
Barter also presented a cheque for K10,000 which was part of the K167,000 raised for the Medical Symposium at a recent fundraising dinner at the Madang Resort supported by Rotary Club, staff of the Modilon Hospital, DWU and the general community.