PNG has a population of just over 5 million people made up of a vast number of different ethnic and cultural groups. Over 800 languages are spoken in PNG with Pigin being the national language, though less than 50% of women are literate in any language at all.
80% of people live in rural areas and rely on subsistence farming. 2 out of every 3 women still give birth on the floor of their village hut resulting in one of the most common conditions among women presenting at medical clinics, being neonatal sepsis. The infant mortality rate of 48 per 1000 compared to Australia’s 4 per 1000 is amongst the highest in the pacific, and maybe even higher as this national average does not reflect the significantly higher and sometimes unreported infant mortality rates in the more remote areas.
The increasing break down of traditional village life and cultural practices has lead to a growing incidence of HIV/AIDs and STIs and the growing need for not only decent medical services but HIV/AIDs training and awareness programs. St. Margaret’s Hospital located in Oro Bay services a population of around 18,000. The hospital has no running water, functioning toilets or regular electricity and only the most basic of equipment. Despite its severe lack of resources it remains the community’s major medical facility treating a variety of conditions ranging from malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia, broken limbs through to machete injuries. Tragically many people continue to die from preventable or curable conditions.
The destruction brought about by Cyclone Guba, which claimed over 150 lives, has exacerbated the situation with many of the local villages destroyed and large numbers of people displaced and without access to the most basic medical care. Goods and supplies are still urgently needed to help establish homes and money is being directed to the establishment of clean water and sanitation.
BAC believes that education is essential to any sustainable development and is therefore committed to providing quality education especially for those most marginalized within society.
BAC believes that the provision of basic health care is an essential human right and are therefore committed to working towards the provision of health care in remote and rural areas within PNG and to the provision of HIV/AIDs educational programs.
BAC believes that the best way to provide aid is through programs that are sustainable in the long-term and which provide measurable health, educational or economic benefits to the local communities.
BAC believes women are the primary victims of poor health and education in PNG and are therefore committed to empowering women within local communities, in ways that are culturally sensitive, to achieve a greater degree of self-determination.