Governor assures PM

Prime Minister James Marape’s aspiration to end violence against women by 2025 when he leaves politics has not fallen on deaf ears.

Sunday saw hundreds of NCD residents take to the streets in a sea of red for the Walk against Violence chanting “Say no to violence”. The walk is the first of many related activities scheduled for the redvember month of activism initiated by NCDC’s Walk and Yoga for Life program.

NCDC Governor Powes Parkop assured the Prime Minister that while his goal was high, the City Hall is committed to making the city safer for women and girls.

He called on men to respect women so that they can fully utilize their potential.

“Imagine the kind of outcome the country will achieve if they fully express their potential in business, at schools, in workplace and other endeavours. They can be full of energy, be creative and innovative.”

Also present for the first Walk against Violence was Port Moresby General Hospital CEO Dr Paki Molumi, who said more resources were being wasted on patients who are victims of violence rather than patients with diseases. Of the victims of violence, 90 percent received their injuries through alcohol related incidents.

Dr Molumi said on Fridays and Saturdays, the emergency ward records patients beyond its capacity putting his staff and resources under pressure.  

Dr Molumi said programs such as Redvember were good as they encourage people to take responsibility over their lives, which in turn reduces violence.

“If you go to our hospital, it is crowded just like Boroko Market. We want to reduce that number of people coming to the Hospital and this program is the way to reduce it,” he stated.

“It is not about medicine; it is not about looking for doctors; it is not about looking for treatment either. The more we invest in these kind of programs and early diagnosis, we will reduce those numbers. And significantly, we can cut the cost of running health care in the country.”

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