Papua New Guinea :
Two weeks ago I conducted an audit of the training component of an AusAid project in Papua New Guinea at the newly built Laboratory of the Port Moresby Hospital . There are just so many opportunities to provide training in this country but alas no funding to pay for it. I was amazed to learn that the hospital tries very hard to provide one meal per day to patients (relatives and one-talks are expected to provide the other meals) but sometimes the money runs out and the linen is changed once per week (again relatives and one-talks are expected to take up the slack where possible). Aren't we lucky in THIS LUCKY COUNTRY!
However, I noticed the new laboratory which will support the diagnosis and treatment of the Aids epidemic, TB, Malaria etc etc has a beautiful new library with lots of shelving - but would you believe not even one book. Aus-Aid have done a great job with this project and Laboratory Staff have great technical skills. Still a lot of management skills required and the staff are keen to learn. But with no internet connection and no library it is difficult for them.
Do any of our members have suggestions how we can get some management resources in particular into their library? Maybe some ideas on how we can get the publishers to support these very motivated and dedicated laboratory technicians gain more management skills.
Spain :
I am off to Spain next week as part of a trade mission being sponsored by the Spanish Government of 6 Australian and 4 New Zealander educational consultants and agents. The Spanish Government want their institutions to tap into the business of education in the international marketplace. I will be visiting over 30 institutions over 14 days and report back in our next newsletter. It should be interesting.
Carmel THOMSON
THE SOUTHERN CROSS CONNECTION
