Common themes in the literature on traditional medicine in Papua New Guinea

A review of the literature on traditional medical practices and beliefs in Papua New Guinea (PNG) was conducted in order to provide context and background information for the Department of Health's National Policy on Traditional Medicine for Papua New Guinea. The literature review examined accounts that refer to all 19 provinces and 50 different cultural groups. PNG is renowned for its cultural diversity and it was evident in the literature review that many beliefs and practices are specific to particular cultural groups. Many cultural groups adopt unique practices based on their own specific explanations of illness. At the same time, the review identified a number of commonalities in concepts of health and illness, treatment-seeking behaviour and reactions to the introduction of western medicine among Papua New Guineans from different geographic areas. Both the diversity and the commonalities provide context and background for the National Policy that was approved by the National Executive Committee in March 2007 and officially launched in April 2009. The commonalities are pertinent to the policy on a national level while the diversity must be considered when the policy is implemented at the local level. Summarizing the commonalities between different cultural groups illuminates central belief and behaviour constructs relating to health and illness. Ideas and similarities in practice or perceptions relating to traditional medicine in PNG that are common across a number of provinces are the subject of this paper. The most common features include a belief in the power of sorcery, which is universal, the importance of adherence to customary law and the healing power of herbs and incantation. These findings are a working draft of the expected norms of traditional medicine in PNG, which can be tested and refined during the process of implementing the National Policy, which, it should be noted, explicitly excludes the use of sorcery.     

Hydatid disease: the threat within Papua New Guinea

Hydatid disease is a problem in those countries where man, grazing animals and dogs live in close association. The adult tapeworm of Echinococcus granulosus causes few, if any, symptoms in the dog and so its presence may be unsuspected. Transmission to man is by ingestion of eggs, which resist desiccation and may be viable for up to one year. Food or water may be directly contaminated or infection acquired by close contact with dogs carrying eggs in their saliva or hair. Though quarantine regulations exist, the introduction of the disease as the tapeworm in dogs or as the hydatid cyst in imported sheep from New Zealand has occurred and its spread is a possibility. The life cycle, clinical manifestations and significance if introduced to rural communities are discussed.     

Diabetes: the by-product of westernization in Papua New Guinea

Before the 1960s diabetes was rare in Papua New Guinea. But by late 1970s there was evidence that diabetes type 2 was increasing among some urban dwellers. The problem is getting worse and in some urban communities the prevalence of diabetes has doubled within 14 years. Unfortunately no one knows the exact magnitude of the problem. Secondly there are simply not enough resources to handle the current known cases. This is compounded by the fact that many Papua New Guineans welcome western lifestyle with open arms. A change of eating habits and lifestyle is vital if any change is to be made to this by-product of westernization.     

Laboratory guidelines for blood cultures in Papua New Guinea

Laboratory procedures for blood culture technology appropriate for Papua New Guinea are described. Included are the selection and use of culture media; the collection, inoculation and incubation of clinical material; the isolation and identification of pathogens; and the referral of isolates for further testing.