A senior doctor at the Port Moresby General Hospital expressed frustration about the medical treatment given to the late Ruby Laufa.
Dr Sam Yockopua, from the PMGH Emergency Department, said the sickest or the critically injured need to be taken as soon as possible to appropriate locations for intervention.
He told Loop PNG that on Saturday, February 11, the late victim was taken to a private hospital at about 10am before being sent to the PMGH Emergency Department at 11.30am.
“She succumbed to her injuries at 3.30pm,” he said.
“It is indeed very frustrating to see or hear when seriously ill and injured patients that would otherwise be saved using skilled assessments, choose other private places (hospitals); just to be riddled around before being referred.”
Dr Yockopua believes that emergency deaths can be prevented if patients are taken immediately to PMGH.
“Yes true, you may wait a little for your turn, however, for true emergencies, we attend to the victims immediately and give the best possible care. Why not come straight here?”
He reveals that PMGH has 6 emergency specialists on ground as well as more than 20 doctors in the emergency department. There is always a specialist on duty between 8am-10pm who can cater for such situations.
He further says full details into Laufa’s death will be released by hospital management.
Meantime, facts into the former Miss PNG's death are still sketchy as police continue their investigations.
Charges are expected be laid against a suspect, who is in police custody, following an autopsy on Laufa’s body, which is set to take place today.