Haemoglobinometry in Papua New Guinea

In 1978, doctors in Papua New Guinea were questioned about their practice of haemoglobinometry. Forty one doctors carried out blood haemoblobin measurements themselves, 26 used the Sahli method, 26 used a photoelectric absorptiometer method and 9 used the AO/Spencer haemometer. Thirty doctors had no occasion to ever need a haemoglobin estimation and 58 referred blood elsewhere, mostly to a hospital laboratory. The relative advantages of the methods presently available in Papua New Guinea are discussed and the value of quality control emphasized.