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(Photo:
New Zealand Ministry of Health) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Pacific people must take extra care
with swine flu
Source:
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Press Release
The latest figures released by the Ministry
of Health show a higher number of Pacific
people in the numbers of confirmed cases of
the Influenza A (H1N1) 09, (swine flu).
Dr Api Talemaitoga the Ministry of Health’s
chief advisor on Pacific Health and the
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs chief
executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga say “this
looks worrying, although in part this is due
to people having become infected while
overseas and then the influenza spreading
within their local community”.
"Nonetheless I urge Pacific people to take
extra care and exercise good basic health
habits to prevent spreading this flu virus,”
Dr Tukuitonga said. “We are a very social
people with large families and we like
getting together a lot, but now we must act
responsibly and sensibly to prevent the rate
of infection from escalating further.”
Dr Talemaitoga said figures show, of the 642
total confirmed cases by June 28 there were
144 Pacific people infected with the
Influenza A (H1N1) 09 virus. Canterbury was
the worst hit with 63 cases.
He is also advising pregnant women, parents
of young children and those with underlying
health problems such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma,
heart disease etcetera to seek medical help
if they contract the flu, or if their
influenza results in problems with
breathing, chest pain or unusual drowsiness.
“Pacific people who have other health issues
should not hesitate to phone Healthline or
their GP service, for advice” Dr Talemaitoga
said. “If they have health problems like
respiratory conditions, heart disease and
get influenza, they are able to receive
tamiflu for free if their doctor assesses
them as needing it”
Dr Talemaitoga is also urging his health
colleagues to be proactive in asking Pacific
patients about their co-morbidities as they
may not necessarily volunteer this
information, especially if seeing a
particular Pacific person for the first time
at one of the community influenza clinics.
Meanwhile, Dr Tukuitonga said as a further
precaution Pacific people should take
advantage of the Government’s offer of free
seasonal flu vaccines.
Signs and symptoms of influenza include
fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body
aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some
people also experience diarrhoea and
vomiting. Dr Tukuitonga said safety measures
which all health authorities are
recommending include:
• Stay home if you are sick, rather
than going to school or work.
• If you become sick stay home for seven
days after your symptoms begin or until
you have been symptom-free for 24 hours,
whichever is longer.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze.
• Phone your doctor or Healthline
0800 611 116 if you or someone in your
family gets sick, or is already sick and
gets worse.
• Do not turn up at a hospital or medical
centre before phoning for advice, as you
can spread germs to other people.
• If you are caring for someone with the
flu, watch for signs that they may need
further medical attention.
• Be prepared. Have enough food water
and basic medical supplies including
paracetamol or ibuprofen, as well as any
medicine you take regularly, nappies for
babies, cleaning products, tissues and
bathroom supplies for at least a week.
• Hand hygiene is still the single
most effective measure in protecting
yourself. Wash your hands with soap and
water and dry them thoroughly.
• Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as
germs spread this way.
“For most healthy people the swine flu seems
to be a mild to moderate illness which is
unpleasant rather than life-threatening, Dr
Tukuitonga said.
“However, the rising number of recent deaths
in the early part of July shows just how
serious this can be and we must all be extra
vigilant and careful with our health.”
Photo Caption: Ministry of Health’s chief
advisor on Pacific Health, Dr Api
Talemaitoga.
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(Photo:
Samoa Government) |
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SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source:
Government Press Secretariat Press Release
Report on the USP Directors Committee Meeting
Cabinet has approved the report by the Samoa
delegation on the USP Directors Committee
Meeting that was held in Nadi, Fiji on the 3 - 5
June 2009.
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss
the USP’s Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013. Some of
the issues involved in this discussion include:
• Human Resource and Budgeting
• Learning Experience
• Good Governance and Management for the
University
• University’s future plans
• Fiji Government’s move to combine Fiji School
of Medicine and Fiji’s Institute of Technology
and other Institutes to form National
University.
Concerns were raised by the Samoan Delegation on
the issues that:
• 75% of the USP budget comes from the
Government of Fiji;
• Decreased in the number of intakes at Alafua
Campus;
• Improvement in the Fiji School of Agriculture;
• Decreased in the rate of the Fijian dollar (by
20%), this can affect the Budget for the next
three years.
Despite the concerns raised, the Fiji Minister
of Education advised the Committee that the Fiji
Government will always consider the USP as a
priority. The Vice Chancellor also advised that
the University’s Branch in Alafua will be
closely watched by the Committee and that other
options of improvement will include offering new
courses like research programs at the Alafua
Campus.
Financial aids from overseas countries like
Australia, Japan and USP Foreign Partners has
been received by the University and has helped
the University to fund some of its Programmes.
Samoa was represented by the Hon. Minister of
Women, Fiame Naomi Mataafa(Pro-Chancellor), Hon
Minister of Education, Toomata Alapati Toomata
and Finance Secretary to Government, Hinauri
Petana.
2nd Youth Festival
Cabinet has approved the participation by the
Samoa Youth delegation of the 2nd Youth Festival
to be held in Suva, Fiji, on the 13 - 18 July
2009.
This festival provides a platform for the
regions youth to exchange ideas and experiences
in regards to the Pacific Youth Strategy 2005 -
2010. The Festival is organized by the
Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
The Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the
Youth Project, Sydney Faasau will be leading the
Samoa delegation.
Tinai Gordon & Associates awarded contract
Cabinet has approved Contract awarded to Tinai
Gordon & Associates for designing and
supervision of the Health Professional Hostel
and Renovations to Nurses School building and
Simulation laboratory at the total cost of
$539,998.60.
An invitation for Bids was advertised and five
Companies submitted applications. The
applications were assessed by the Sub-Committee
according to the guidelines provided by the
World Bank and partners funding this project.
Tinai Gordon and Associates was given the
contract after they were assessed as the most
favourable candidate.
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(Photos:
Australian High Commission) |
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AUSTRALIA: APTC students learn on board USNS
Richard E. Byrd
Source:
Australian High Commission Press Release
More than 100 students, including 30 Samoans,
from the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC)
have been fortunate to visit the USNS Richard E
Byrd during its stay in Apia harbour.
Access to the ship, which is currently
undertaking humanitarian project work as part of
the Pacific Partnership, has been a huge help
for those studying Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning; Plumbing; Electrical Automotive
and Engineering.
Students at the APTC, an Australian Government
initiative, come from Samoa and all other
Pacific Island Forum countries. Students receive
Australian-standard qualifications.
Students were this week divided into small
groups to tour the parts of the ship relevant to
their trade.
“It was so exciting to see this huge ship and
realise it’s a workplace for welders like me,”
one student said. “One day I would like to work
on or even build a ship like this.”
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning students were
shown the refrigeration systems used in the huge
food cooling room and the freezer rooms.
The ship stores food for long periods for the
240 people on board, as well as extra supplies
for project work in both Upolu and Savaii.
The students saw the cooling and air
conditioning systems that supply the whole ship
with cooling in our tropical environment.
“Because the ship is only two years old my
students are seeing the latest state of the art
craftsmanship, equipment and technology,”
trainer Michael Moller said. “This is such a
great addition to the classroom and workshop
lessons we have been doing and will inspire the
students to achieve a higher standard of
workmanship in their work place.”
APTC is an initiative of the Australian
government. Students at APTC come from Samoa and
all other Pacific Forum countries and are
studying for the Australian Certificate 3
qualifications which are the same as those done
by Australian apprentices
The trainer of the electrical students has been
teaching his students about safety in the
workplace and the use of lock out/ tag out
systems, which are a requirement of the
Australian qualification.
“I am really pleased that my students were able
to see how these lockout/tag out systems were
being used all over the ship and that they are
an expected part of this workplace,” trainer
Leigh Roberts said. “These systems save lives by
making sure that electrical circuits are not
energised if a worker is still working on them
or still in the dangerous area”.
The engineering, plumbing and automotive
students were able to spend time in the engine
rooms of the USNS Richard E Byrd.
Here they saw the four powerful diesel
generators, the fixed pitch propeller shaft and
the electric engine systems.
The students also viewed the workshops and
storage areas on board that are needed for
repairs and maintenance of all components on the
ship by the fitters, machinists and welders.
The plumbing students were particularly
interested in the amount of plumbing and pipe
fitting on board, including for fire fighting,
toilets, showers and kitchen areas.
Photo Captions: APTC students on board
the USNS Richard E Byrd during its stay in Apia
harbour.
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Safety first in Trukai Fun Run
Source:
The National
The PNG Sports Federation and Olympic Committee
says this year’s Trukai Fun Run will be a safety
and welfare conscious activity.
In a press conference called by PNGSFOC
secretary-general Sir John Dawanincura on
Tuesday (July 07, 2009) in Port Moresby, he
outlined the safety aspects of the run, which is
expected to be the biggest on record.
“The organisers are hoping to break records in
attendance and money raised, and already, with
around 125,000 T-shirts distributed, we have a
projected income of K900,000 compared with
K650,000 for last year,” he said.
“For this year, as with other years, the main
aim of the organisers is to have a safe and
incident-free event that can be enjoyed by all
who participate in the Fun Run.
“In Port Moresby, the Fun Run route will be
closed from 6:30 to 8:30 in the morning.
“However, depending on the last finishers, that
time maybe pushed back a little.”
Sir John appealed to motorists to be aware of
runners and to keep clear of the Fun Run route
at the designated times.
“I’m making a special appeal to motorists,
especially Paves, to be aware of the morning
activity, which will involve around 25,000-plus
people.”
Last year, the Trukai Fun Run attracted an
estimated 22,000 runners, mostly school children
and youths.
This year’s figure is expected to top that.
The police constabulary, along with army
personnel, will provide crowd control, while St
John Ambulance and a team lead by Dr Bernie Am,
of the PNG Sports Federation, will be at hand to
offer medical assistance to runners.
Port Moresby water supplier EDA Ranu will
provide water for runners.
Adding to the event will be the inclusion of NRL
stars Matt Bowen and Ty Williams, of the North
Queensland Cowboys, who will lead the runners in
pre-run warm-up sessions in Port Moresby and Lae,
respectively.
Thirteen centres will participate in the Trukai
Fun Run, with more than 100,000 T-shirts bought
and given to schools and others over the past
four months.
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(Photo:
CHM Super Sound Studios) |
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SOLOMON ISLANDS: Sharzy eyes Australian Market
Source:
Solomon Star
Solomon Islands popular singer Sammy Saeni who
was known throughout the Pacific Islands as
‘Sharzy will be leaving the country for Papua
New Guinea (PNG) today.
Sharzy said his tour to PNG was to make a video
clip with PNG’s famous raggaton singer Daddy
Gee.
The clip will be based on the song title ‘My
Eyes on You’.
“CHM Super Sound tried to push the video clip to
the Australian market because they wanted the
song to hit their market,” he said.
He said the song was from the same album ‘Umi
Flow’ which was launched last year.
“The album consists of 14 songs, 10 songs were
launched while the other four were launched at
the CHM Super Sound Studios in PNG,” he said.
Sharzy said shooting the clip was the main
purpose of his trip and he’ll be back in the
country this Friday.
Photo Caption: Sammy 'Sharzy' Saeni.
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WORLDWIDE:
Taiwan / Republic of
China Regional Development Assistance
Source:
Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release
The Taiwan/Republic of China today (July 10,
2009) handed over USD 57,393 for Taiwan/ROC-PIF
Scholarships and a total of USD 406,000 for CROP
projects under the Regional Development
Assistance for 2008/2009.
The scholarship scheme, managed by the
Secretariat, currently has 15 students from Fiji
(2), FSM (1), Kiribati (1), Niue (2), Papua New
Guinea (1), Samoa (1), Solomon Islands (2),
Tuvalu (4) and Vanuatu (1). The scholarship
recipients are based at local and regional
universities and colleges; and are pursuing
studies in commerce, medicine, carpentry,
engineering, marine science/affairs, information
systems and agriculture.
The Regional Development Assistance will cover
13 projects which will be implemented by CROP
agencies. The assistance goes out to:
• Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) -
USD 96,000
• Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) - USD
30,000
• Pacific Power Association (PPA) - USD 30,000
• South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment
(SPBEA) - USD 30,000
• Secretariat to the Pacific Community (SPC) -
USD 80,000
• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional
Environment Programme (SPREP) - USD 50,000
• Pacific Applied GeoScience Commission (SOPAC)
- USD 40,000
• University of the South Pacific (USP) - USD
50,000
The projects will cover areas in ICT; regional
water, sanitation and hygiene; renewable energy
in Smaller Island States; solar photovoltaic
assessments; fisheries management, education;
and youth training.
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