PNG’s Port Moresby braces for lockdown, PM tells health authorities to buck up or be sacked

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PNG’s Port Moresby braces for lockdown, PM tells health authorities to buck up or be sacked

PORT MORESBY: As Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s capital here braces for a possible Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown, Prime Minister James Marape also sounded the alarm calling on Papua New Guineans to wake up from their slumber.

“Our country is now a Red Zone with too many lives lost. Only two of the country’s 22 provincial health authorities have responded with plans to fight Covid-19.

“They must buck up or be removed,” he added.

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces several news updates on Covid-19 as published by The National:

Possible lockdown

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

PORT Moresby is bracing itself for a possible lockdown this week following discussions last weekend between senior doctors, police and city authorities on how best to reduce the Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and deaths.
“Our goal remains to prevent infection, stop transmission and save lives. Many of the (Covid-19-related) deaths are unnecessary deaths,” National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop said.
He is expected to brief Prime Minister James Marape and Health Minister Jelta Wong today on what was discussed.
“The meeting was thorough.
“We explored options and examine their viability and implications,” Parkop said.
“The director medical services of the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Dr Kone Sobi reminded us that 99 per cent of those admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital are unvaccinated.
“He also reminded us that the Delta variant was infecting people of all ages unlike the other strand.
“We can stop these unnecessary deaths if we heed the Niupela Pasin protocols and get the vaccine.
“We are now about to reach 80,000 vaccination in the city.
“We need to reach 160,000 adults to achieve herd immunity.”
PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ian Tarutia said what was needed urgently was “a circuit-breaker is required to minimise the movement and large-scale gathering of people”.
“A measured lockdown or curfew for three weeks, only allowing essential services to continue is an option, especially in identified hot spots around the country,” he said.
Deputy chairman of the national health board Dr Mathias Sapuri suggested that a two-week nationwide lockdown was the only way to control the Covid-19 surge.
“The virus stops moving when people stop moving,” he said.
Parkop, on Oct 7, said that he would oppose any further lockdowns in the capital city and the country mostly because of the costs.
The NCDC spent between K8 million and K9 million during the lockdowns when the first and second waves hit the country.
But, last Thursday, he said the city could have a lockdown to check the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“If the doctors tell me that we have to lockdown because they cannot cope any more, then I will follow their advice,” he said.

PM warns officials to buck up

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
PRIME Minister James Marape has warned provincial health authorities (PHAs) to buck up in the fight against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) or they will be replaced.
“Papua New Guinea is now a red zone with many lives lost,” Marape said.
“Send in your health plans against Covid-19 or face dismissal.
“We need the plans to provide Government support.”
He said the Government had to date received only plans from Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands. The other 20 provinces have not submitted anything.
“Send in your plans, the Government is ready to support your plans in response to Covid-19,” he stressed.
Marape said the Government needed the immediate medium term and long-term plans of PHAs not just for Covid-19 but on other issues that may arise in the future.
“We can live through this by coming out of this alive.
“Hopefully, as we overcome this third wave, we will take stock and implement what can be implemented.”
In the recent Parliament debate, Marape said K74 million were distributed to PHAs in 2020 with the Government yet to receive plans from the PHAs.
“To maintain the economy and work in the 2020 Budget allocation for the health sector, we gave the PHAs K4.4million with K200,000 going to each PHA to start the work on Covid-19 with the exception of the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH).
The second disbursement was K37 million, everyone got a share,” he added.
In August, Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Jelta Wong outlined the Covid-19 funding in his ministerial statement to Parliament.
He said the health sector received K1.08 billion to manage the Covid-19 to date, with the Government providing K115.6 million and partners, including banks, providing K906.6 million.

 

Cases, deaths still increasing: Doctor

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By ZACHERY PER
THE Eastern Highlands Health Authority is yet to see a decrease in Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and deaths after two weeks of the lockdown and night curfew, says chief executive officer Dr Joseph Apa.
“We (have not seen) any difference. The numbers are (still) going up. We have seen no improvements,” he said.
“We will continue the lockdown until we see a decrease in cases and deaths.
“The purpose of the lockdown must be achieved before we can go to other activities.”
Dr Apa mentioned this on Friday after receiving 500 oxygen cylinders, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other lifesaving items from Ok Tedi Mining Ltd.
He also received from the Eastern Highlands community in New Zealand 53 oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment for the Covid-19 response efforts.
Dr Apa said the Covid-19 Delta variant was being transmitted as people continued to move around and congregate in groups.
“We will continue to impose curfews and the lockdown until we see some improvements.
“I also appeal for more help as cases and deaths are still growing with no signs of decline,” Dr Apa said.
He did not rule out a “complete lockdown” if the situation does not improve.
Meanwhile, police and health officials are manning the borders at Kenagi Bridge (Western end) and Yonki (Eastern end).
Provincial police commander Sup Michael Welly said the Covid-19 was being spread by people moving in and out of the province.
He said every vehicle passing through the checkpoints are thoroughly checked.
Goroka police station commander acting Chief Insp Paul Nacca is in charge of the operation in the Western end, including Lufa, Ungai-Bena, Goroka and Daulo.
Kainantu police station commander Insp Peter Roari is in charge of the Eastern end, including Obura-Wonenara, Kainantu, Henganofi and Okapa districts.
Nacca said they were ensuring that all road users followed the Covid-19 measures.

Police use curfew to highlight measures

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

POLICE in Jiwaka are using its two-week curfew to drive home the message to the people to practise the new normal and look after their health and well-being, provincial commander Supt Gideon Kauke says.
He said the curfew started last Monday and to end on Sunday.
Police are trying to tell the people the importance of the practising Coronavirus (Covid-19) protocols like hand-washing, social distancing and wearing of masks, he said.
Supt Kauke said the curfew had not stopped people at the borders, meaning they were free to travel into Jiwaka.
They are making sure that shops closed on time and liquor outlets did not operate during the two weeks.
Supt Kauke said the curfew hours were from 7pm to 6am.
“This is to get the message across to the people who have no access to media and to control people’s movements and the trading hours,” he said.
“There is no border lockdown, borders are still open but we are only monitoring PMVs who are overloading passengers by setting up roadblocks and making sure they are wear masks.”
Supt Kauke said police would be strict on public gatherings.

Mass burial approved

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
NATIONAL Pandemic Response Controller David Manning has authorised the mass burial of 200 bodies in the Port Moresby General Hospital mortuary.
The mortuary is now filled beyond capacity with more than 300 bodies stacked on top of one another, as more Coronavirus (Covid-19) bodies continue to be brought in from the hospital wards and homes.
Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said the city manager Bernard Kipit had assured his office of their assistance.
“Normally we bury 60 bodies and that would cost about K30,000,” he said. “This time, it will cost us between K90,000 and K100,000.
“We will be releasing the list today via advertisements with the newspapers and relatives have 72 hours to claim the bodies.
“The burial is scheduled for Thursday or Friday.”
Hospital medical services director Dr Kone Sobi said on Wednesday that the hospital conducted four mass burials a year at a cost of about K90,000, with each burial costing between K25,000 and K35,000 depending on the number of bodies.
Sobi said the main mortuary building was sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency about 30 years ago to cater for 60 bodies.
National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop said the mortuary was simply full with more than 300 bodies.
“Three more (freezer) containers have been installed to store the bodies and a mass burial is being planned this week,” he added.
“People are dying on arrival (at the hospital) and those who died despite being under the care of the hospital’s isolation centre.”
Kipit said the city commission would help the hospital in ensuring that the logistical support was there when a mass burial was carried out.
“We will also step in to ensure space was given for the burial.”

Nurses blame authorities

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By GLORIA BAUAI
NURSES in Lae are blaming their authorities for the lack of control over the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, especially on its education and awareness in the province.
Nurses’ Union Mamose president Siling Awasa expressed concerns after a team of nurses and support staff from the West Taraka health centre were attacked on Friday.
According to social mobilisers Andrew Apisai and Jeffrey Lalio, they had done awareness in the community earlier, informing them that a health team was coming to carry out the routine baby immunisation.
Apisai and Lalio said the team was initially threatened but they continued with the morning round.
They said at around 11am, a man, believed to be drunk, attacked the nurses and when Apisai and Lalio intervened, they were attacked as well.
“He threw stones, bottles and sticks at us, broke our equipment, including our tables, a loud hailer and the vaccines,” Apisai said.
Lalio said the community did not help because of a misunderstanding that the routine immunisation was a Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Awasa demanded that the authorities come down hard on the perpetrator.
“What has happened is a matter of life and death – nurses were stoned, vaccines meant for babies destroyed,” she said.
“These vaccines cost a lot of money; and the lives of our nurses are at stake now with security issues surrounding this vaccination.”
Awasa said the union was concerned with the safety of its nurses and was committed to delivering important health care services.
She said the attack also came as the nurses’ union called on Morobe health authority chief executive officer Dr Kipas Binga to provide support to nurses as they worked on the frontline to treat those impacted by the virus.
“The pandemic has been here for two years now and most of the time, it’s been the nurses on their own at the frontline despite the many challenges such as lack of personal protective equipment,” she said.
“We want to see the best; we need our authorities to take charge of the situation in Morobe (including) the law and order and social issues.”

106 patients admitted to Covid centre this month

October 25, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By LULU MARK
THE Nightingale Coronavirus (Covid-19) Centre at the Taurama Aquatic Centre has admitted 106 patients since its reopening on this month (Oct 1), St John Ambulance chief executive officer Matt Cannon says.
“In the 62 days it was opened during the surge earlier this year, 89 patients were treated but the current surge which includes the Delta variant, 106 people have been admitted in just 22 days and the number is increasing,” he added.
Cannon said as of Friday morning, 44 patients were admitted at the centre, three were severe, 14 moderate and 27 mild.
“All the moderate patients are on oxygen and the oxygen supply is still sufficient to meet the current and expected demand,” he said.
“We are using up to 30 oxygen cylinders daily.
“The challenges we are facing are shortages of nursing and medical staff to cope with the increasing number of patients.
“More than 50 per cent of all the emergencies that St John responded to were Covid-19 patients.
“What we are seeing is that the unvaccinated are suffering greater. The illness is more severe than those who have been vaccinated,” Cannon said.
“If you are fully vaccinated, your illness is milder.”
Cannon urged the public to get vaccinated immediately to protect themselves and others.