Reaching Out

NOBODY is aware of the number of disabled people living in the remote corners of Papua New Guinea. Polio, meningitis, tuberculosis and birth defects, particularly hearing impairment, are endemic. The Port Moresby Special Education Centre, funded by the Australian Red Cross, caters to some 26 deaf children. The Centre's Outreach programme maintains a register of the country's physically challenged, and has so far treated 300 children.