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http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5491
http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201001/2801820.htm?desktopPopulation rising at alarming rate
DEPUTY Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu said Papua New Guinea’s population is growing at an alarming rate of 2.3 % annually and is said to be one of the highest in the region.
Sir Puka said this yesterday while launching the 2010 National Census in Port Moresby and added that the rate of growth has continuously put pressure on the natural resources and is increasingly affecting many lives.
“Our forests, reefs, wildlife, land, water once used to sustain lives are now on the road to depletion due to increased human activities as a result of population explosion,” Sir Puka said.
He said this has contributed to an increasing number of socio-economic challenges such as land disputes, rural urban migration, unemployment, increased health problems such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS, including lawlessness.
He said the Government and stakeholders needed the availability of updated data and information through research, studies and the census to articulate right development strategies to effectively respond to these development challenges and others faced by the country.
Sir Puka said while the objective of the census was to take stock of population in a given time, the Government had identified the need to have information on climate change and issues relating to violence against women and girls and family health.
He added that the Government was mindful of these issues as key challenges that were affecting certain components of the population.
“The displacement of people caused by natural disasters like flooding, landslides, cyclones and high sea levels in many parts of the country was a grave concern. “Population dynamics, poverty and gender equality require quantitative data and information for strategic and effective response by Government and the people,” Sir Puka said.
PNG Health Secretary says health system failing
Last Updated: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:09:00 +1100
Papua New Guinea’s health system has been described as a “national emergency” by the country’s Health Secretary.
Media reports have quoted Dr Clement Malau as saying PNG is heading for disaster.
He says the country’s population is increasing at nearly three per cent a year while three quarters of workers in the health system are ageing, with many due to retire in the next five years.
He says many mothers and children were dying in the rural areas due to lack of health services and if nothing was done to address the issue, the whole country would die.
“Health services are breaking down in many parts of the country. That is a very big concern for me as Health Secretary,” Dr Malau said.
Dr Malau says there’s money coming into the country but it’s not resulting in any improvements.
“There’s money coming into the country but we’re not seeing any improvements. It’s a big cancer that is killing our system. We are not poor. We can change our country if money is used in the right way. Unless we address these issues, we’re creating a time bomb”.
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