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$3.1 million initiative aimed at bolstering health care training

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, Dec. 4, 2013) – The PNG Liquefied Natural Gas company has launched a US$3.1 million (K6.9 million) initiative to improve paediatric medicine in the country.

The child and maternal health care programme which began earlier this month and led by Houston-based Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in partnership with PNG LNG, was launched in Port Moresby yesterday by the Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Michael Malabag.

The two-year programme is aimed at strengthening education and training in maternal and paediatric health care, and reducing infant mortality rates beyond progress already made.

Esso Highlands Ltd managing director Peter Graham said PNG LNG valued the opportunity to support remarkable doctors with world-class expertise in public, paediatric and maternal health care.

"The training they will provide...

Report finds about $8,100 in travel spending undocumented

By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Dec. 5, 2013) – The Mayors Council of Guam in 2012 did a better job of accounting for Liberation Day finances, but there still are questions about money spent on off-island travel, according to an audit report released yesterday by the Office of Public Accountability (OPA).

The audit, which examined 71 disbursements worth $413,437, found no invoices, billings or other proper documentation to support $8,123 in travel spending.

The money paid for travel to Manila, according to Tamuning Mayor Louise Rivera, who yesterday said she has been ill and unable to submit supporting documents.

The council, which responded to the audit report prior to yesterday's public release, said it wants the travel money returned if supporting documents are not provided to the Liberation Committee by Dec. 15.

No such documentation has been...

Government in the process of identifying electoral commissioners

By Shayal Devi

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, Dec. 4, 2013) – About 3000 polling stations will be set up around Fiji for voters next year to ensure elections are held in one day.

This was confirmed by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during the closing session of the annual Tourism Industry Day at the Sofitel Fiji Resort on Denarau yesterday.

While addressing stakeholders in the tourism industry, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said they were already planning the logistics for elections in 2014.

"We hope to have the polling stations to be able to ensure that elections are held in a day. We also hope to have a day which we set aside for elections," he said.

This would possibly be a public holiday, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said, where people could go to vote and do their normal day-to-day chores.

"It will be held in one day and I know hotels and resorts run 24 hours seven days a week but you will...

Officials hope leaders heed call to protect Pacific fishing resources

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Dec. 3, 2013) – The American Samoa government’s (ASG) two-member delegation to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting in Australia are to impress on Pacific leaders they must be vigilant in the protection of economic development opportunities in the region, as China is becoming aggressive in its fisheries development, according to Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, the governor’s executive assistant.

The 10th meeting of the commission is being held Dec. 2-6 in Cairns, Australia. Port Administration director Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele and Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele represent the local government.

Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga was supposed to be part of the delegation but given that she had previous obligations she didn't travel, said Iulogologo,...