Don’t be misled by anti-vaccination activists: PM

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Don’t be misled by anti-vaccination activists: PM

PORT MORESBY: Both Prime Minister James Marape and National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning have advised the public not to be swayed or misled by “political aspirants” trying to organise protest marches against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination.

"I advise our people to stay away from such negative influences,” Marape said in a statement.

Manning said any such gatherings would be dispersed by police.

“While everyone has their rights to do what they think is best, protest marches are also the time for opportunists to take advantage of and create a chaotic situation which is not conducive to anyone,” he added.

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few news reports published by The National on the Covid-19 situation in Papua New Guinea:

PM: Don’t be misled

November 1, 2021The NationalMain Stories

PRIME Minister James Marape has advised members of the public not to be swayed or misled by “political aspirants” trying to organise protest marches against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination.
“I advise our people to stay away from such negative influences,” he said in a statement.
“Individuals with political and other vested interests, are trying to rally public support to suit their own agenda.
“For instance, some of the well-known anti-vaccine voices are known political aspirants under the guise of public- interest advocacy.”
He was responding to social media posts about a protest march held in Lae on Friday which was stopped by police, and one planned for Port Moresby today.
“I urge people not to incite and mobilise others to cause unnecessary problems in Port Moresby and other parts of the country, when we least need it in these difficult Covid-19 times,” he said.
“If any of you have alternatives on Covid-19 prevention, cure or public policy, our National Control Centre is open to your contributions.”
Marape stressed that vaccination was not compulsory as made out to be by its critics.
“We have, over the past two years maintained individual personal rights when it came to the issue of vaccination,” he said.
“At the same time, we have kept our country open for trade to ensure that our economy is functioning.
“Our Government has always maintained the policy that vaccination is not mandatory.
National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning said a march planned for today in Port Moresby was illegal, and any gatherings of more than 20 people will not be tolerated by police.
Manning told The National that the planned peaceful protest against vaccination had not been approved by the National Control Centre, NCD Health Authority or the National Capital District Commission.
Manning, who is also the Police Commissioner, said any such gatherings would be dispersed by police.
“While everyone has their rights to do what they think is best, protests marches are also the time for opportunists to take advantage of and create a chaotic situation which is not conducive to anyone,” he said.
“The NCD Health Authority, city manager and the NCD metropolitan superintendent as a body is entrusted with deciding measures specific to the NCD.
“And this includes whether to have a lockdown or not.
“This body (and) the National Control Centre approve events and activities within the city.”
Deputy Defence Force Chief Commodore Philip Polewara also rubbished claims that soldiers would join the protest march.
“No PNGDF personnel will be taking part in this march and they have been warned,” he said.

 

Anti-vaccination march disrupts city

November 1, 2021The NationalMain Stories

Chris Kunyanban

SERVICES were disrupted in Lae on Friday as hundreds of residents staged a protest against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination, especially the ‘No jab, No job’ policy enforced by some business houses.
Metropolitan Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said the protest was illegal.
Protesters complained that the ‘No jab, No job’ policy had affected many families.
Dunnah Uluwan, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduate from the University of Technology said vaccination had become a requirement for recruiting.
“If you’re not vaccinated, you cannot have a job,” she said.
“Although this is a democratic country, and we have the right to choose not to be vaccinated, we cannot be employed.
“It’s happening to recent graduates and it will be worse for our future generation.”
Chief Supt Kunyanban told the protesters that the Government had made it clear that vaccination was not compulsory.
He said questions raised on health issues would be best answered by qualified health officials.
Police set up check-points at 2-Mile, Kamkumung and the Chinatown Bumbu Bridge.
Police reported that a police vehicle and two civilian vehicles were stoned.
“I was very mindful about properties – the shops, cars and houses along that corridor from Eriku down to the market,” he said.
“Only a few tried to push their individual agendas and we did receive complaints that people were being harassed for wearing masks.”
After the protesters were dispersed by midday, police continued patrolling the city to stop opportunists from taking advantage of the unrest.
All schools, health centres, business houses, shops and markets were closed for the day.
A few buses resumed services in the afternoon.

Soldiers not backing protest: Commander

November 1, 2021The NationalMain Stories

THE PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) does not support any protest against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination programme, says Lae Area Commander (Navy) Alexson Barish Hannema.
He rubbished claims that the PNGDF was behind the protest last Friday in Lae. “This is not true,” he said.
“This (rumour) is made up by civilians to con others to join them and push their agenda.
“The PNGDF personnel are no way taking part.”
A post last week through social media mentioned that Opposition Leader Belden Namah and Enga MP Don Polye would join the protest in Lae.
Lae Metropolitan Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban expressed concern over such misinformation.
He urged the people to use official avenues to raise their concerns. “When police say that the protest is not the acceptable approach, go through church leaders or local community leaders with your frustrations,” he said.
“Illegal protests might affect other services and we’ll have even bigger issues.”

Cases in SHP rising daily

November 1, 2021The NationalNational

THE Coronavirus (Covid-19) infections and deaths are rising daily in the Mendi Hospital, provincial health authority chief executive officer Dr Joseph Birisi says.
“In 24 hours, 29 people were tested positive for Covid-19 and the total cases since Sept 20 is 959. The hospital registered 842 cases, 49 in Ialibu Hospital, 43 in Moro and 19 in other centres,” he added.
“Two deaths were reported in 24 hours and the death toll is 33 and four new admissions.
“Our bed capacity is 44, 12 in the hospital Covid-19 ward, 22 in the medical ward and 10 in the Ialibu District Hospital, 26 patients and 18 beds are available at the moment,” he told The National.
He said health workers were carrying out awareness to appeal to people to adhere to Covid-19 public health protocols and measures.
“We have 15 vaccination sites in health facilities in the province and people must get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he added.
Birisi said Nipa Hospital Covid-19 ward would be opened soon after the ward was equipped, including a mortuary and kitchen.
“We conducted awareness since Covid-19 hit the country but our work has been disrupted by misleading information.”

Lack of information a challenge, police say

November 1, 2021The NationalNational

A LACK of information on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and vaccination has posed challenges in service delivery, including police work, says Lae Metropolitan Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban.
He said correct and vital information on the Covid-19 had not reached most people around the country which was causing anxiety and confusion.
Chief Supt Kunyanban made the observation after a protest march on Friday at Eriku in Lae.
He said appropriate authorities must address the matter quickly.
“They have concerns and seek answers to questions they or even I cannot answer.
“So they staged this protest,” he said.
“We must create an avenue where appropriate authorities must listen and have proper dialogue with (the people).
“If there is no safe space for them to air their concerns without fear and intimidation, we will face more similar situations. And I am concerned.
“Many times, the police face the people when decisions are not made properly by the authorities.
Chief Supt Kunyanban said misinformation led to misunderstanding which resulted in attacks on health workers, including the St John Ambulance in Lae. 

 

Treat other diseases too: Doc

November 1, 2021The NationalMain Stories

HEALTH authorities have been advised not to ignore or neglect other preventable disease over the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Deputy National Pandemic Response Controller Dr Daoni Esorom directed this to the officers of the Health Department and the provincial health authorities (PHA). “We know there are surges in most provinces and the natural reaction is to redirect resources, including manpower, to take care of the Covid-19 cases,” he said.
“PHAs must ensure that priority is given also to the malaria programme, maternal-child health, expanded programme for immunisation, tuberculosis, HIV and non-communicable diseases.
“We are seeing an increasing number of people dying from other diseases. So the PHAs, hospitals and health facilities as well as the health workers must ensure that focus is also given to priority programmes, because if we don’t, we will have a lot of deaths not only from Covid-19 but also other preventable diseases.” Dr Esorom said resources including funding must be shared equally between all health programmes.
“Now that the focus is on the pandemic emergency, the Health Department and PHAs must focus on the basic blocks of a health system which are:

• GOVERNANCE, leadership and management;
• SERVICE delivery;
• HEALTH infrastructure;
• HEALTH financing;
• HEALTH information; and,
• HEALTH workforce.

“If we focus equally on building these basic blocks of our health system, we will emerge from the pandemic having a better health system,’’ Dr Esorom said.

Kombra: Education minister has final say on schools

November 1, 2021The NationalMain Stories

THE Education Minister is authorised to make decisions on the suspension of classes and on matters relating to the curriculum and instructions, says Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra.
During the surge in Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, he said they had allowed local authorities to deal with what was best for their areas, including the suspensions of classes to contain the transmission.
But now, the academic year would continue as scheduled, pending any advice to the contrary by Minister Jimmy Uguro.
Dr Kombra said classes should continue with strict compliance with public health safety measures.
“We also urge teachers and education officials to go for vaccination for their welfare and those they are responsible for,” Dr Kombra said. Meanwhile, Teaching Service Commission chairman Samson Wangihomie earlier said that overcrowding in the schools and classrooms shouldn’t be an issue now as students who had completed their national examinations had left.
“So if schools can restructure and (reset timetables), we can cover all the courses.
“While it is evident that social distancing is difficult in schools because of overcrowding, it’s all about now observing the Covid-19 protocols,” he said.