Rotarians fund Lae symposium

 A GROUP of Rotarians have given K20,000 to the PNG Medical Society to hold its medical symposium in Lae next month.

Port Moresby Rotary Club chairman Ron Seddon said it was the first donation to the medical symposium. 

He said as Rotarians against Malaria in the country, they wanted to combat the disease in collaboration with the medical society.

Funds raised will assist in the distribution of 1.5 million mosquito nets around the country this year.

“Cost associated with the distribution programme will be about K30 million,” Seddon said.

He said the exercise was expected to cost K120m, targeting every single home.

He said the mosquito nets came from Vietnam.

President of the Medical Society PNG Prof Nakapi Tefuarani thanked the Rotary Club for the donation.

“The Medical Society will be happy to hear this,” Tefuarani said.

He said the Institute of Medical Research was doing intensive research on the changes of patterns of malaria and ways to fight it. 

“They also work on awareness, malaria coverage and strategise effective ways for treatment,” he said.

“Rotarians not only support with nets, they have been instrumental in capacities like providing hospital beds, dental equipment for dental training at medical school.”

He said scientific papers compiled were based on standard treatment and a copy would be submitted to Health Minister Michael Malabag for recommendations and resolutions. 

The National Executive Council would be responsible for policies and implementation.

“Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the symposium which originated in Goroka so it will be held there,” he said.