Morobe Provincial Health Authority

CEO Dr Kipas Binga said they are structured under the Christian Health Services, who get their funding directly from the government.

The Braun Memorial Rural Hospital in Finschhafen is facing funding constraints while Etep Rural Hospital in the Tewae-Siassi district has already closed its doors.

The Morobe Provincial Health Authority came under fire because of this.

Chief executive officer, Dr Kipas Binga, said they are looking at preparing the new TB ward at ANGAU for COVID-19 patients.

In spite of concerns about the risk that other patients and residents would be exposed to, Dr Binga said other hospitals in the country are looking after their COVID-19 patients on campus.

“Us, we were doing it outside because of the redevelopment but I believe we should have it on campus,” he stated.

“In the weeks ahead, we might be moving the patients from the current setup back to the hospital just so it’s easier to look after everyone.

Morobe Provincial Health Authority CEO, Dr Kipas Binga, said the national procurement system hinders the timely delivery of medical drugs and consumables.

Ordinary Papua New Guineans are forced to buy their own medicine when seeking treatment at the ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital.

Those suffering from intense pain get a prescription from ANGAU to buy their morphine from pharmacies or other private hospitals; a costly and burdensome exercise for ordinary citizens.

In March and April, the province was hard hit with increased cases and a number of deaths.

The Morobe Provincial Health Authority reported 594 cases in April, while the number dropped by more than half in May to 273.

No deaths were recorded in the month of May.

The cumulative total in April was 931 and May ended cumulatively with 1,264.

Morobe Provincial Health Authority chief executive officer, Dr. Kipas Binga, echoed these sentiments when receiving five pallets of ventilators and accessory spare parts which were donated by Newcrest Mining Ltd and UNICEF.

This is one of many donations that Newcrest Mining and UNICEF have given to support the Morobe Provincial Health Authority throughout this global pandemic.

“We are fortunate that we have many stakeholders who support and ensure we continue to deliver health services to the highest standard and Newcrest Mining Ltd is one of such,” said Dr Binga.

The K4 million facility, which is located at 11-Mile, has catered to around 100 persons under investigation so far.

The COVID-19 isolation and quarantine facility at 11-Mile was an arrangement between the Health Department, the Morobe Provincial Health Authority and NKW.

The public health workers are calling on the management and Morobe leaders to address the longstanding issues of low manpower, lack of resources and inadequate facilities.

The Morobe Provincial Health Authority has recorded 87 COVID-19 cases and another death as of today.

The March 9^th death follows Lae’s first COVID-19 passing in the early hours of February 8^th.

The number of active cases is expected to increase.

The PHA is urging residents to follow the COVID-19 protocols of face masking and physical distancing.

Police have reported that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

Eyewitnesses claimed the vehicle, a Nissan Urvan, was travelling at high speed when it slammed into the Eriku bus stop median and careened off into a nearby raintree.

The driver is now in police custody, where chief superintendent Chris Kunyanban said charges will be formalised and laid against him.

The MPHA said the initial case was an employee who had contracted the illness whilst spending a week in the nation’s capital. 

“His wife contracted it from him and she unfortunately passed it on to an employee of her company,” said the MPHA.   

“Contact tracing of all persons of interest is underway. 

“Now is not the time to panic or spread rumour or innuendo,” stressed the health authority.  

“As unfortunate as this is, there was always a high risk of transmission.” 

Residents have been urged to get serious and follow the preventive measures: