• PNGIMR 40th Anniversary a Success
• Introducing the EID project
• PNG SDP donates K20,000 to PNGIMR for its 40th Anniversary & Colloquium celebrations
• National Health policy to be put in place - Zibe
• Governor General Congratulates PNGIMR
• Medical and social scientists say PNG has highest rate of HIV/AIDS
• PNGIMR receives approx K8million research grant from AusAID
• HINARI training a success
• IMR donates gastroendoscope to Goroka Hospital
• PNG Medical Journal Assistant Editor attends meeting in Korea
• PNGIMR Madang Social club promotes community relations
• VBDRU Administration Managers change of office
• New Staff
• Taime congratulates 40th Anniversary celebrations organizing team

By Cynthea Leahy

On 4-5 May 2008 I attended the first meeting of the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME) held at the Seoul National University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, representing the Papua New Guinea Medical Journal.

The meeting was convened by the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, together with the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences and the Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors.

The objectives of the meeting were: i) to review and finalize the terms of reference of APAME; ii) to discuss the role of editors and how APAME will contribute to the improvement of the quality and visibility of journals in the Region; and iii) to conduct an informal consultation on the Western Pacific Region Index Medicus.

Participants came from China, Japan, Fiji, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Viet Nam.

During the meeting I had the opportunity of giving a report on the Papua New Guinea Medical Journal.

I was also able to share the ups and downs of producing a medical journal with the other participants and learnt that there are other countries that share similar problems.

There were discussions on peer reviewing, scientific writing workshops, journal impact factors and citation databases. I represented Papua New Guinea at the first business meeting for APAME.

I thank the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences and the Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors for funding my trip and I thank Peter Siba for allowing me to represent the Papua New Guinea Medical Journal.