Anti-vaccination activists turn violent in Papua New Guinea

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Anti-vaccination activists turn violent in Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY: Anti-vaccination activists in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have turned violent, attacking St John Ambulance and health workers in the past two weeks.

The attacks have forced provincial health authorities to stop mobile clinics while St John workers continue to work under safety threat.

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces several news reports on the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) status in PNG as published by The National:

Attacks deplored

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By LULU MARK and GLORIA BAUAI
MOROBE is withdrawing mobile health clinics and the teams of health workers carrying out Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination and awareness, plus other programmes, in suburbs, because of increasing attacks on them.
Provincial Health Authority chief executive officer Dr Kipas Binga said all health services would be conducted only in the clinics in town.
“(The authority) will be seriously considering halting its services to any community within the catchment area of a facility if its staff are being harassed continually,” Dr Binga said.
Nurses on mobile clinic duties recently raised their concern about their safety while conducting Covid-19 vaccination and routine child immunisation programmes.
Momase nurses’ union president Siling Awasa wants police and health authorities to deal with those attacking nurses and support staff at the West Taraka clinic.
Dr Binga, in a circular to health authority staff yesterday, said companies who wished to get their employees vaccinated should now go to the clinics as no teams would be travelling out.
The St Johns Ambulance in Lae is also concerned about the attacks on its workers, even though they are not carrying out the Covid-19 vaccination.
Three of their workers were attacked early yesterday morning along the Boinamo road in Kamkumung while attending to an emergency call.
After putting the female patient on board, they were attacked by a group of people who said they were against the Covid-19 vaccination.
While two ambulance officers attended to the patient, one was trying to calm down the angry mob.
The husband of the patient also tried to calm the group down but to no avail.
The ambulance workers were verbally abused for “conducting vaccinations”.
It was the second such attack in two weeks. Police are investigating the incidents.
A St John Ambulance statement said: “We call on the Lae community to respect ambulance officers during this time as so much more people need our help
“Due to misinformation, (some people) in Lae assume that the St John is involved in the vaccine roll out when it is not.
“The officers are risking their lives when they are not in full personal protective equipment to treat potential Covid-19 patients. Ambulance teams are here to help people in Lae during emergencies.”

NCD should go into lockdown

October 29, 2021The NationalLetters

THERE needs to be a lockdown in the National Capital District (NCD).
I might sound cynical but it seems that NCD Governor Powes Parkop is putting the economy over people’s lives and with an election on the horizon, it may be politically motivated as well, considering people’s views on lockdowns.
He should look at what has happened in Australia.
Yes, lockdowns are not popular, but they help to slow the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and give hospitals, health workers and other frontline workers the chance to catch up.
The authorities say they cannot enforce or they do not have the capacity to enforce a lockdown.
But they are asking us to adhere to the “New Normal” without proper systems to enforce it.
The enforcement bit is obviously not working.
A lockdown, even though unpopular, should be considered in this situation.
On top of assisting the hospital with the much-needed funds, there needs to be a campaign on social and mainstream media to get people vaccinated.
The campaign should focus on dispelling the lies about Covid-19 vaccines.

There should be a lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19.
The authorities should assist hospitals with manpower and funds and ensure the truth about Covid-19 vaccines reach all people.
We need to start thinking about the bigger picture.
Other countries are starting to open their borders for overseas travellers and we will fall further behind if we do no inform people about the truths surrounding vaccination and getting people vaccinated.
We need to learn to live with the virus, but this can only be done with vaccination.
Otherwise, we will see more deaths of our loved ones.
I know three people who have contracted the virus, all have been fully vaccinated.
They only had mild symptoms and all have fully recovered without any side effects.
I want the authorities to think about this and put people’s lives ahead of money and politics.

Pom Resident

Enforce lockdown in Port Moresby

October 29, 2021The NationalLetters

REALLY do not understand why there is no lockdown in the country.
I am struggling to make sense of it.
As I hear of family members succumbing to Coronavirus (Covid-19), I am furious.
Have we lost all common sense?
What economy are were trying to protect/safeguard and at what cost to human life?
The health system is crumbling, the frontline workers are all falling ill, families are dying in numbers.
Here we have the authorities preaching about protocols and vaccines instead of enforcing tough measures.
Since when have Papua New Guineans adhered to protocols?
Almost 60-80 per cent of our population are illiterate and they do not understand the protocols.
The time for public relations on these measures was during the first wave.
While the people are dying, the authorities are pushing to enforce protocols.
Please, stand up for what you know is right.
Enforce a lockdown and work out the strategies for a public relations drive later.
There is no sense of urgency.
People are freely moving around, enabling this virus to cause havoc.
I beg you please, we can rebuild our economy tomorrow, but we can never substitute a lost life.

Kinsman

Read, understand Covid and vaccines

October 29, 2021The NationalLetters

IT is amazing to see that the number of questions and those wanting to score likes on social media platforms keep asking why a person who is fully vaccinated can still contract Coronavirus (Covid-19).
In the first place, no one said the vaccine was a cure.
Those who have smart phones should be reading and comprehending rather than asking questions in the wrong forum and platforms.
Asking a doctor is the best thing to do.
What is shared here is from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention website.
If you claim to have studied and passed English in Grade 10, then you will understand.
It is in simple English.
Studies show that Covid-19 vaccines are effective, especially at keeping you from getting seriously ill, even if you get Covid-19.
The Covid-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognise and fight the virus that causes Covid-19.
It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes Covid-19.
People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose or two weeks after the single-dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccines. This is straight forward.
No rocket scientist is needed to dissect it for me.
I now have the social responsibility to share this with my friends and relatives.

Pihin Mbunai 

Explain Covid-19, vaccines to vendors

October 29, 2021The NationalLetters

WE want the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) to do more awareness on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and vaccination so vendors can access public facilities in Port Moresby.
Vaccination directives by NCDC should be reviewed so vendors in the informal sector under NCDC’s mandate can continue their sales.
NCDC’s vaccination policy has affected vendors who are active participants of this K14 billion informal economy.
Most vendors depend on their sales to survive.
They should be able to access services and facilities provided by the Government and NCDC.
The directives from NCDC includes no vending, no contract work and no use of NCDC public facilities by those who are not vaccination.
The NCD Market Association consists of six markets in Port Moresby.
Vendors, contractors and the youths who directly participate in our City Markets want City Hall to review its directives.
It is hurtful to give such directives that has no optional avenues to work alongside to sustain and support our households.
We survive by marketing.
It has been part of our livelihoods and has been our only means of earning our living over the years.
Our marketing activities have supported our children’s school fees, bus fares, lunch monies and other family responsibilities.
We want all the directives to be analysised properly.
Give us options with strict compliance to the “New Normal” protocol of Covid-19 rather than using vaccination as the ultimatum.
The commission should listen to our concern and do something it now.

Sana Dokopa,
President,
Informal Economy Association

Fake Covid card probed

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By JIMMY KALEBE
LAE police are investigating the production of fake Coronavirus (Covid-19) green cards by certified medical practitioners in Angau Memorial Hospital and Buimo Health Centre, commander Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban says.
“Two people in the hospital have been arrested and a third is on the run. We will get him soon. The suspect in Buimo has also gone into hiding,” he added.
Chief Supt Kunyanban said more people were expected to be arrested in connection with the production and sale of fake green cards.
“Under the National Pandemic Act, this is wrong and serious crime. The public should not seek or buy such fake cards as it is a crime to do so.
“If you are working and you have that fake green card, if your employer finds out, you may lose your job and that will also make your family suffer,” he added.
He said if people did not want to take the vaccine, “that is their choice”.
“Simply go without it and do the right thing instead of cheating yourself, your family and the entire community.
“The consequences that follow will also have impact on others as well.
“When you think that your job is at risk, follow the rule of law and seek assistance from appropriate authorities, like the labour office,” he said.
He added that police would come down hard on those involved in producing fake green cards and warned those doing so to stop immediately.

Residents still ignoring Covid-19 protocols: Doctor

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

Eastern Highlands Health Authority health inspector Dr James Pok checking the temperature of driver Michael Aglua at the Kenagi Bridge checkpoint on the Highlands Highway yesterday.

MANY people in Eastern Highlands still fail to understand and follow messages on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) despite the surge in cases and deaths, says provincial health authority chief executive officer Dr Joseph Apa.
“Many are still not adhering to the new normal public health protocols and to get vaccinated,” he added.
He said the massive awareness messages seem to fall on deaf ears because when the Covid-19 Delta variant strain struck, “people start dropping dead like flies”.
Dr Apa said ignorance played a major part in the problems as not only the people but every stakeholder, including businesses, needed to support the fight against the Covid-19.
Senior health inspector Dr James Pok, who took charge of the Covid-19 checks at Kenagi section of the Highlands Highway the Western end of Eastern Highlands, said many passengers when approaching the road block pretended to comply with Covid-19 measures by rushing to wear masks and comply with social distancing.
“Police and health officers are doing their best and need everyone’s cooperation to eradicate the Covid-19,” he added.
Western police operation commander acting Chief Insp Paul Nacca warned travellers and vehicle owners to comply with the stringent measures put in place.
“Health and police officers are working to ensure the people are travelling Covid-19 free.
“Anyone absconding the control measures will be punished under the Pandemic Act 2020 which carries a penalty of K10,000,” Chief Insp Nacca said.

 

Mendi hospital reports two Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By PETER WARI
TWO Coronavirus (Covid-19) deaths have been reported within 24 hours at the Mendi General Hospital in Southern Highlands, one at the hospital and another at home, provincial health authority (PHA) chief executive officer Dr Joseph Birisi says.
He told The National that of the total 31 deaths reported, two were of children aged five and nine.
Dr Birisi said 11 Covid-19 patients died at home or were pronounced dead upon arrival, 19 died at the hospital’s isolation ward and triage tent and one death was at the Ialibu District Hospital.
He said the Covid-19 Delta variant was not impacting one single age group as it was affecting both young and old.
“We have 15 vaccination sites in the province, we are advising people to go to those sites and get vaccinated,” he said. Dr Birisi said companies, institutions or communities could arrange with the PHA’s vaccination team to get vaccinated.
He said vaccine hesitancy was due to misinformation on social media and this alone was undermining public trust in the vaccination campaign.
Dr Birisi said public servants needed to take lead by getting vaccinated and making awareness in their communities. “It is a global pandemic and we need cooperation from everyone to get vaccinated, it is not the work of health workers only to make awareness,” he said.
Dr Birisi said people with symptoms needed to come to the hospital to get tested and know their status and receive treatment.
“Health workers will do the testing and let you know whether to either to be at the hospital or self-isolate depending on the assessment of severity,” he said.
“People are self-managing at home and by the time they come to the hospital, they are quiet sick or in a critical condition.”
Dr Birisi said within the last 24 hours, 52 new Covid-19 positive cases, including eight new admissions and 30 inpatients, were reported in Southern Highlands and the province’s total case is now 930.

PM’s ‘threats’ criticised

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah has criticised Prime Minister James Marape for threatening to sack provincial health authority (PHA) officials for their “poor” management of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) funds, saying it was wrong.
“I find the Prime Minister’s threats to the PHAs to produce plans within a fortnight or get the sack to be without foundation and a reflection of his poor management of the affairs of our nation,” Namah said.
“The PHAs need policy direction, strategies, and objectives (which are) supposed to be delivered by the Department of Health through the Health Minister.”
Namah said they had nothing.
“Those policy directions, strategies and objectives are normally in the National Health Plan (NHP) which sets the roadmap for all health plans and programmes from PHAs right down to the aid posts level,” he said.
Marape sent out the warning last week after the provincial health authorities failed to submit their health plans to the Government as required.
Namah said the last NHP (2011-2020) had lapsed.
“So it is Marape’s government which must draw up the next NHP to set the direction for health from 2021 to 2030, his target year for when he will deliver the world’s first developed black Christian nation,” Namah said.
“If he does not know, the development and formulation of the NHP is the primary responsibility of the Department of Health.
“It is long overdue.”
He said the plan might be launched next month.
Namah said Marape should instead be directing the warning to Health Minister Jelta Wong.
“The Health Minister should be the one getting sacked for non-performance, and not the heads of PHAs,” he said.

 

Courts take tough stand

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE Waigani National and Supreme Courts will allow only people vaccinated against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to enter, Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika says.
“We are taking this tough stand to stop the spread of the Covid-19 among court users,” he said.
“However, if people are aggrieved by that decision, they can take legal action.
“After all, both the vaccinated and non-vaccinated people have the human rights to take this matter to the courts.”
Sir Gibbs said this after people, including Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin, were prevented from entering the courts yesterday because they could not produce their vaccination cards.
“We are trying to be a responsible State agency,” he said.
“We must make sure that our communities are safe and we don’t want to endanger the lives of other people.
“Lawyers should have no excuse as we have already advised them of this decision that we will take.
“We told them to get vaccinated as responsible citizens.
“And they have to be vaccinated.
“Judges are all vaccinated and even me.
“We all should be vaccinated.
“If people are not vaccinated, they should come with a certificate that they have been tested negative and so they can appear before us.
“People are entitled to come to court if they feel that their human rights are being impinged or threatened.
“They can come to court and have their grievances presented.
“But then your rights are subjected to my rights (vaccinated people) and my rights are subjected to your rights (unvaccinated people) too.”

ENB schools reduce classes to stop spread of Covid-19

October 29, 2021The NationalNational

SCHOOLS in East New Britain (ENB) are to reduce classes to three days a week in a bid to control and contain the surge of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The reduction is effective today for 14 days.
Administrator Wilson Matava, in a circular, said the containment would end on Nov 14.
“The intent of the containment is to arrest the increasing Covid-19 cases in the province by controlling the unnecessary movement of people,” he said.
“Education is an essential service.
“However, classes for day schools will be limited to three days per week, while teachers attend work as normal for five days.
“For boarding schools and tertiary institutions, classes will continue but are subject to alterations as decided by the school administration based on context and situations faced by each institution.
“For elementary and vocational classes, there will be no classes, Tvet institutions will see normal classes, with working days for teachers from Monday to Friday.
“The current surge in the Covid-19 is alarming and requires drastic measures to slow down its infection and growth.
“This province-wide containment is a measure to ensure there is minimised risk caused by unnecessary movement of people.”

Planned protest against vaccines illegal, says Lae police

October 29, 2021The NationalNational

By JIMMY KALEBE
POLICE in Lae have warned those planning to stage a protest march against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination programme to call it off because it is illegal.
Metropolitan commander Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban said no permit or clearance had been given for the march which had been posted on social media. And even if an application came to his table, he said he would reject it.
“The planned protest has no group or individual (identified to be) spearheading it. People are using fake names on Facebook to spread information about this protest,” Kunyanban said.
The public protest to be staged at Eriku Oval in the city had been the talk of the town this week in Lae.
There is even speculation that members of the PNG Defence Force would be joining the protest.
Chief Supt Kunyanban rubbished the claim saying no members of the disciplined forces would be involved in such illegal events.
“Police will be in full force to face (any protest) and I am urging the public in Lae not to take part,” he said. “(During past) gatherings, we see damage to properties and lives put in danger.
“Law and order issues arise under the cover of such situations.
“So police do not allow these protests.”
He advised people who refused to take the vaccine that it was their right to reject it.
“The Government is clear on that and it is your right to say yes or no,” he said.
“One other option available to the public is to organise a petition and present that to the government instead of taking part in protests.”
He also told the Lae Urban local level government councillors yesterday to conduct awareness in their wards about vaccination and protests.

 

St John services overwhelmed by Covid-19 responses

October 29, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By LULU MARK
THE St John Ambulance service is responding to more emergency calls than it used to, with more than 50 per cent of the cases related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), an official says.
Chief executive officer Matt Cannon said on Wednesday alone, it responded to 69 cases around the country – the highest number of cases they had ever responded to in a 24-hour period in at least the past five years.
There were 49 emergency cases in the National Capital District (NCD) and Central, of which 15 were Covid-19-related.
Lae had two emergency cases, Kokopo had two of which one was a Covid-19 case, and Kundiawa had 14 of which two were Covid-19-related.
Cannon said 60 per cent of all emergency cases the St John responded to around the country were confirmed or suspected Covid-19 ones.
“We express great concern with the surging cases in Kundiawa and Central,” he said.
“The rise in cases and the demand on the health system are serious and need urgent focus.
“The need for more medical assistance cannot be understated.”
Cannon said with the current trajectory of cases, many more ambulances would be needed on the road. Steps taken include:

• BASIC training for 16 reservist ambulance drivers this week, to be rostered from Nov 2;
• THREE more ambulances will be included in the roster on a temporary basis from Tuesday with the support of the NCD Commission;
• PREPARATION to mobilise an emergency support team to help the ambulance staff in Kundiawa so they can do a 24-hour coverage;
• ENSURING a registered nurse is on-hand in the 111 ambulance control centre to help coordinate responses, re-triage cases, and provide clinical support; and,
• AUSTRALIAN volunteer medical doctors, nurses and paramedics awaiting normal visa and medical board approvals to support the Nightingale Covid-19 centre.