No Roads Health Medical Expedition
Since Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia back in 1975, the country’s healthcare has been a major issue. It has had some of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world, high infant mortality rates and a low ratio of healthcare workers to population.
Thankfully, this is beginning to change, and more focus on community healthcare programmes is increasing awareness and improving education around the issue. That’s why No Roads Expeditions is delighted to support DFAT, PNG health authorities and partner NGO's to help make a difference.
The Kokoda Track is a place of great national significance, having been the site of a major battle between Australian troops and the invading Japanese army in 1942. It’s a poignant and emotive place that weighs heavy with memories of hardship and sorrow. Hopefully, we can remember this past but also be part of creating a better future for those who live in the region.
The No Roads - Health expedition aims to introduce healthcare professionals into local villages, providing general medical care while passing on knowledge and skills to local people. The education is centred around maternal and infant health, wound and infection management, and nutrition. Making a real difference when and where it matters.
The expedition differs from other projects in that this is not a short-term goal. Our aim is to provide a consistent, coordinated approach that delivers real outcomes over time. It aims to consult local communities and work with them in the most effective way possible. Most importantly the project is ongoing, with approximately four expeditions each year visiting communities now and into the future.
If that’s something you’ve always wanted to do, then this is the trek for you. Get in touch to find out more or discuss the itinerary of our tours.
Thankfully, this is beginning to change, and more focus on community healthcare programmes is increasing awareness and improving education around the issue. That’s why No Roads Expeditions is delighted to support DFAT, PNG health authorities and partner NGO's to help make a difference.
The Kokoda Track is a place of great national significance, having been the site of a major battle between Australian troops and the invading Japanese army in 1942. It’s a poignant and emotive place that weighs heavy with memories of hardship and sorrow. Hopefully, we can remember this past but also be part of creating a better future for those who live in the region.
The No Roads - Health expedition aims to introduce healthcare professionals into local villages, providing general medical care while passing on knowledge and skills to local people. The education is centred around maternal and infant health, wound and infection management, and nutrition. Making a real difference when and where it matters.
The expedition differs from other projects in that this is not a short-term goal. Our aim is to provide a consistent, coordinated approach that delivers real outcomes over time. It aims to consult local communities and work with them in the most effective way possible. Most importantly the project is ongoing, with approximately four expeditions each year visiting communities now and into the future.
If that’s something you’ve always wanted to do, then this is the trek for you. Get in touch to find out more or discuss the itinerary of our tours.
Coastal Expedition
A message from Stewart Kreltszheim, Project Manager (No Roads - Health) & Expedition Guide :
"I went to Tufi on the coast of PNG for a relaxing holiday and quickly realised that No Roads - Health needed to return here. Whereas the villages of The Kokoda Track are isolated by rugged terrain, these villages are denied health care by vast expanses of water which are susceptible to strong winds and rough seas. The Health Centre in this region cannot cope with the demand placed on them with their limited resources and they, along with the villages, are hopeful that we can replicate what we have done in the highlands in this beautiful coastal region."
This is not a hard trekking expedition - we will travel to many of the villages by boat and canoe as there are "No Roads"!!!
This expedition is rated Grade 2 - Moderate.
(Please note this itinerary may be subject to slight change depending on local conditions / flights etc. Please do not book your international airfares until the itinerary has been confirmed by office - 03 9598 8581)
"I went to Tufi on the coast of PNG for a relaxing holiday and quickly realised that No Roads - Health needed to return here. Whereas the villages of The Kokoda Track are isolated by rugged terrain, these villages are denied health care by vast expanses of water which are susceptible to strong winds and rough seas. The Health Centre in this region cannot cope with the demand placed on them with their limited resources and they, along with the villages, are hopeful that we can replicate what we have done in the highlands in this beautiful coastal region."
This is not a hard trekking expedition - we will travel to many of the villages by boat and canoe as there are "No Roads"!!!
This expedition is rated Grade 2 - Moderate.
(Please note this itinerary may be subject to slight change depending on local conditions / flights etc. Please do not book your international airfares until the itinerary has been confirmed by office - 03 9598 8581)
Day 1 - Sun (early AM) |
Arrive in POM and overnight |
Day 2 - Mon (early AM) |
Fly to Tufi, pack all consumables for the week ahead, overnight Tufi Resort |
Day 3 - Tue |
Boat to Tumari Bay (B1) with packed lunch (L1), Clinic for Tumari / Berubona and overnight Tumari |
Day 4 - Wed |
Boat to Sinei or Vovo (B2) for am clinic, boat to Tufi Resort (B3) for late lunch, PM - Visit Tufi Health Centre and restock, boat to Garewa (B4) for overnight |
Day 5 - Thu |
Boat to Marassa (B5 - with packed lunch- L2) for am clinic, boat to Awanae (B6-Tomlins) for overnight |
Day 6 - Fri |
Boat to Utukwaf (B7) for am clinic then to Jebo (B8) for late lunch and overnight |
Day 7 - Sat |
AM clinic at Orotoaba, lunch, PM clinic at Jebo and overnight |
Day 8 - Sun |
Boat to Tufi (B9) for returning goods, restocking, finalising statistics and reports, lunch and afternoon off followed by final dinner and overnight at Tufi Dive Resort |
Day 9 - Mon (early AM) |
Flights Tufi - Port Moresby – Australia. A huge day of travel home to Australia by commercial aircraft (no more boats). |
Note : This Itinerary is indicative and may change due to local conditions and or flight schedules.
Booking Conditions
Please read the following information which explains what is included, any exclusions, booking and expedition conditions and upgrades available for this expedition.
General Information
Click on the following web-links to find out more about the topics described below.
- How we Operate - why should you trek with No Roads? Learn more about how we manage safety and security, our philosophy, our team of Porters and Guides, what others say and we will bust some myths about the Kokoda trekking scene.
- Kokoda Expeditions - learn about the Kokoda Track itself, the people and terrain, the plants and animals, more about our expedition team and the different types of Kokoda adventures we offer.
- Preparation - to properly prepare for this expedition we have provided detailed information on how to plan for your expedition, prepare yourself both physically but also advice on health and medical considerations, and lastly what gear to bring (and to leave home).
- Meals - No Roads offers the highest standard of delicious and nutritious meals along the Track and special dietary considerations can be catered for if we are notified in advance.
- Military History - The history of the Kokoda Track during 1942 is nothing short of amazing. The stories of individual efforts, of triumph and defeat are ones that are still helping to shape Australia’s identity. Read our campaign overview and detailed key history events notes.
- On Expedition - To complete your preparation we encourage you to read about the three stages of the expedition grouped into before trekking, trekking and after trekking. The information in these pages will assist you greatly in preparing and understanding what to expect on expedition.
Inclusions
Coastal Expeditions
- Hand selected and trained Australian Expedition Guide, Clinical Team Leader
- Comprehensive expedition medical kit for client use
- Electrolyte supplements
- All domestic schedule flights
- All boat hire
- Medical / Nursing Registration within PNG
- Briefing before the expedition and each day on expedition
- Fundraising support advice on request
- Equipped with a Satellite phone / mobile phone for emergency purposes and logistical support
- Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
- All meals on the expedition as per itinerary. (Dietary requirements can be accommodated)
- All accommodation at Tufi resort and village stays
- Village hosts
- Floor mat
- Snack Pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
- No Roads Health Team polo-shirt
- Urine and health chart guide
- Access to your Australian Guide for advice prior to the expedition
- Access to the pre-trek preparation information provided in this website.
- Pack Hire
Exclusions
- International flights to and from Port Moresby (please contact us for a quote)
- Travel Insurance (please contact us for a quote)
- PNG Visa or Passport
- Snorkel and dive gear hire
- Vaccinations and anti-malarial medications
- Airport Departure Taxes (civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
- Pre and Post trek meals
- Personal expenditure - items of a personal nature (i.e. art, drinks etc.)
- Excess baggage on scheduled domestic PNG flights
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of No Roads Expeditions
Expedition Conditions
- You will also need to sign a NR-H Trekker Agreement (see below) which outlines your responsibilities.
- It will be necessary to be cognisant of the fact that we will be in a rural environment in PNG with no electricity and limited facilities. The target audience will be PNG villagers with limited English (we will work through interpreters) and little to no education.
- Each participant / client of a No Roads - Health expedition will be responsible for self-funding or fundraising their own expedition costs. This will be supported by the No Roads - Health Team.
- An expedition shirt will be designed and supplied to all participants.
- Flights and all PNG logistical arrangements will be facilitated by NO ROADS Expeditions including the procurement of food and accommodation, etc.
- A detailed list of what each participant should take will be provided to each member of the expedition 3 months prior to the expedition dates.
- Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is considered mandatory.
- Closed Private Expeditions are not included in this schedule.
- Minimum numbers for the scheduled expeditions are required, typically 5 to 6 people. Please contact our office regarding our scheduled departures to discuss your needs.
Upgrades
Terms and Conditions
- No Roads Expeditions is the booking agent for www.kokodaexpeditions.com.au
- NO ROADS EXPEDITIONS (NRE) TERMS AND CONDITIONS
PRICING:
No Roads policy is to hold prices firm for each calendar year. However because costs such as but not limited to exchange rates and airlines are out of our control we reserve the right to vary our prices at any time up to departure, without notice. Pricing is per person based on twin share accommodation.
PAYMENT:
A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking and the balance due 45 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATION:
If you cancel your booking 90 days or more prior to departure, you will have your deposit refunded less $200 administration booking fee.
If you cancel your booking between 89 and 46 days prior to the commencement of your Expedition you will forfeit your entire deposit.
If you cancel between 45 days and 29 days before the departure date you will lose 50% of the Expedition cost.
If you cancel less than 28 days prior to the departure date of your expedition you will lose 100% of the expedition cost.
If after cancellation we fill your place on the expedition and the expedition is fully booked, we will at our discretion refund your money less an amount to cover No Roads Expeditions (NRE) administration costs.
We may, at our discretion choose to offer you another expedition.
Full payment is due 45 days prior to the departure date. If you fail to pay by this date you could lose your place on your chosen expedition and your deposit will be forfeited.
In the event of NRE being forced to cancel an expedition for reasons of security or personal safety (e.g. civil unrest, seismic activity, etc.), the amount paid will be transferable to another expedition or will be refunded, minus a reasonable amount for administration costs and cancellation fees charged by airline and accommodation companies not controlled by NRE.
Administration fees will be calculated on a case by case basis. While acknowledging the travel warnings posted by respective Foreign Office departments, NRE does not accept cancellation due to these warnings in isolation. We take into consideration information from numerous sources including reports from our local offices in the respective country and act accordingly.
In the event of NRE cancelling an expedition, we will work with all affected members to try to provide an alternative venue or the expedition fee will be refunded minus associated costs out of NRE's control.
PRIVACY:
No Roads Expeditions from time to time uses footage, comments and names for promotional purposes, should you not wish to participate, you must notify No Roads Expeditions in writing.
Liability Release
The following liability release statements are found on our booking form and provided here for reference. You will be asked to sign a copy of this release before trekking.
- I have been advised by 'No Roads Expeditions' (NRE) of the following matters in relation to my upcoming expedition with NRE.
- I have been advised that, snorkeling/swimming, trekking, climbing and especially mountaineering are inherently dangerous activities.
- I may be killed, injured, incapacitated and experience pain, illness and suffering. I may experience loss, damage or theft of my property.
- Any of the above may not be NRE's fault or the fault of anyone else. These incidents may be caused by others in my party, employees or directors of NRE, their subcontractors, my guide or wildlife, environmental factors such as ice cliff collapse, avalanche, bad weather, loose rocks, unstable snow or even just physical exhaustion which can happen at any time on my Expedition.
- There is no way of predicting all the hazards I may face. While NRE will take reasonable precautions to minimise the risks, there is no way NRE can guarantee my safety on this expedition 100%.
- Often areas of operation are remote with little or no medical support. In some remote areas self-rescue is the only option.
- My guide may need to begin first aid appropriate to the remoteness of the area and the nature of my ailment.
- While NRE will take all reasonable precautions to maintain my safety I understand that I also am responsible to act in a responsible and safe manner that will not endanger myself or others in my party.
- By signing or ticking this document I certify that I have read and understood these risks and they are acceptable to me.
- I also agree not to seek compensation, financial or otherwise from any incident that might occur during or associated with your trip, from NRE, it's directors, employees or subcontractors.
- I understand NRE will not accept my participation on expedition if I do not have suitable or sufficient travel insurance to cover such events as illness, remote area evacuation, etc.
- NRE is not responsible for any medical, hospital, doctor, rescue, evacuation, or associated transportation costs. We will where possible assist you with any emergency logistics in the event of problems.
You will also need to sign a No Roads - Health Trekker Agreement which outlines your responsibilities.
| nr2htrekkers_agreement_09052013.pdf |
Testimonials
Thirty percent (30%) of our trekkers have either repeat trekked with us or gone on to become Clinical Team Leaders. The vast majority of trekkers have stayed engaged through social media, emails, fund-raising events and advocated throughout their professional networks to promote No Roads – Health work in PNG which we believe is testament to the quality of the program.
Perfect antidote to the humdrum of GP life in the burbs. Medical presentations to bring back that wonder of diagnosis. People appreciating your efforts to help, even when you can't always. Wow, what an amazing adventure!!! It is hard to find the words to describe this experience which has changed my outlook on life forever!!! The people we met were happy, welcoming and beautiful. The nursing is in locations you can only dream of, is back to basics and pushed us out of our comfort zone in ways we did not anticipate. What a privilege to walk, talk and work hard with like minded people. We shared so many laughs, stories, history and some very special memories in this majestic, remote location. No Roads – Health supports people to experience something wonderful and I am so very proud to have been involved with such a wonderful group of professional people who, together, are truly making a difference in Papua New Guinea. Make this part of your next adventure, you won’t regret it!!! ...... And if you think you can’t...... you can!!!..... get out there and do something that will change your life forever!!! - Mia Nicole – Graduate RN – “I learned more in 8 days than I did in three years at university”. 
Hannah – Trainee Midwife – “This trip to PNG changed my life in a way that I cannot even describe! I feel so blessed that we as a team were able to touch the lives of 430+ beautiful people. I cannot wait to get back over there in the future and do it all again” |
'No Roads - Health - where do I start? My experience was so far above and beyond my expectations of what it would be. Working with a group of people from different professional backgrounds, and with different levels of experience, to provide health care to the people of PNG was an amazing experience. There were things we came across that stumped us and provoked different emotions in all of us. I learnt so much about both PNG's and Australia's health care systems, and what we can do when we combine our healthcare workers to create a team with nothing but the wellbeing of the people of PNG in mind. I will do it all over again as soon as I can. Absolutely loved my time as part of the No Roads - Health team. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.' - Bianca Di Sciascio Hard to sum up the experience using words. It was much more than I could have anticipated. The local hospitality, generosity, warmth and good will shown to us was amazing and unexpected. The wonderful scenery and lushness of the villages made a wonderful backdrop for the outdoor clinics. I didn't expect to have withdrawal symptoms when I came home! I'm hooked and can't wait to go back. - Fiona Katie – RN from WA – “Stewart no words can describe my experience. Hands down the best thing I have done and I've done a lot! …..! Thanks for a bril trip x” Elysha – Graduate RN – “Words cannot explain how incredible the past week has been. I can't thank the No Roads Health team enough for allowing me to be part of their mission to improve healthcare and its accessibility to the remote areas of PNG. We treated over 400 people assisting in the vaccination of over 80 children, conducted over 80 eye tests and provided general healthcare and promotion. The difference we made in eight days to so many lives is such a rewarding feeling!” My experience on No Roads Coastal trek was fantastic. We were very well looked after, the scenery was amazing, the people were so friendly and appreciative of our visits and care. I met great new friends, and am planning to return next year. - Anne |
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