Covid-19 vaccination

Through the funding from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), ChildFund PNG (CFPNG) supported the Central Provincial Health Authority (CPHA), with the training for Health Care Workers (HCW) from Kupiano, Moreguina and Upulima.

Sixteen HCWs attended, including Acting District Health Coordinator Valu Vanua.

The participants were given the opportunity to develop their understanding of the COVID-19 vaccine, do proper data entry in Planning, Monitoring and Reporting, conduct vaccine advocacy and administration of the vaccine in the Health Catchment population.

AROB has launched the training that will equip its health workers with vital knowledge, skills and confidence on COVID-19 vaccination.

Central Region Rural Health Services Director, Peter Arwin in opening the training on behalf the Secretary for Health, underscored the critical role of health workers in increasing demand generation and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine.

This follows the release of the Booster Vaccination Direction by the Pandemic Controller.

OTML Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Musje Werror, was the first to receive his booster jab in front of OTML and Tabubil Hospital staff and urged other employees, contractors and members of the community to get their boosters including those that are yet to be vaccinated.

He said COVID-19 is still present and continues to cause challenges in all the countries around the world and the new variants are emerging is affecting the lives of many people.

The EHPHA Chairman, Fego Kiniafa and team recently visited the Ketaboro hauslain in Unggai/Bena District to launch the community games.

The sports activity covers young people from all eight districts of Eastern Highlands for community sports, during which awareness and advocacy for COVID-19 vaccination will take place.

This sports activities, which started in December 2021 and is currently in progress. The community is involved in volleyball, basketball and touch footy with official support from the EHPH.

For evidence, look no further than the shenanigans surrounding Novak Djokovic and his attempted participation in the Australian Open tennis championships.

Instead of challenging for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne, Serbia's biggest sporting star found himself in the slammer, after immigration officials found fault with his paperwork.

His country's president, Aleksandar Vucic, led the chorus of outrage in Belgrade, following a phone call with the incarcerated ace.

The player arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday where authorities noticed a mistake on his application.

Djokovic was due to play in the Australian Open, after being exempted from vaccination rules.

He will be flown out of the country later on Thursday but his lawyers will challenge the decision, Australian media report.

Photo file  Caption: :World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic     

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said yesterday he expected advice from Medsafe in a couple of weeks and the rollout should start in late January.

But some are urging officials to move faster as a number of schools shut down for days because of infected students or staff.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said while there were no plans at this stage to bring the timeframe forward, it was still under advice.

Dr Daoni’s plea follows the drop in the number of people going for vaccination, unlike that in October. He added this might have linked to the drop in the number of COVID-19 cases reported this month as compared to last month.

As of Thursday, 25th November, 2021 a total of 272,141 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is 14.6 per cent of the target population of 1869, 279 for 2021.

Dr Wuatai said COVID-19 measures and protocols are also being maintained.

Still in a lockdown state, Western Province health facilities have scaled down operations to allow staff to manage man power and resources in case of an outbreak in the hospital setting.

In Daru, the last COVID-19 admission was on September 27, 2021. Prior to that, there were five admissions; all were asymptomatic.

There’s been six COVID-19-related deaths reported at Daru Hospital.  Dr Wuatai said the number of reported COVID-19 cases has dropped though.

But the Singaporean government said Monday that it will no longer cover the medical costs of people “unvaccinated by choice,” who make up the bulk of remaining new coronavirus cases and covid-19 hospitalizations in the city-state.