I started work with the Paradise Private Hospital in September of 2007 and since then I have noticed a pattern in respiratory infections in children. I have not done any formal study or an audit of my patients but this is just an observation.

There is an increase or more correctly an outbreak of respiratory infections every 2 months. Evey second month or so I am seeing children coming down with high fever, cough, flu symptoms and vomiting. And this is not just a few but a large numbers all come down with upper respiratory tract infections.

Generally, looking around Port Moresby, it is dirty. Our good governor is trying his best and thumbs up to him but still people do not care and we have a lot of litter bugs in the city. My feeling is that this general uncleanlinesss is a major contributing factor. The major markets are very filthy, to say the least!

So I have been advising my patients to avoid crowded areas and not to take their children to crowed areas. Also do not eat out, that goes for eating at wantoks’ parties. Unless you are are there and see how the food is prepared.