The Games Organising Committee (GOC) today received K2.5 million worth of medical equipment from the National Health Department to be used for the Games.
More than 298 pieces of medical equipment was procured through the department to support the Games.
National Health Secretary Mr Pasco Kase in handing over the equipment said, “We are very happy to support the Games with these medical equipment’s so that the Games medical teams can take care of the health and wellbeing of our sporting participants as they compete in our country”.
The equipment includes CT scanning machines, physio beds, cardiac monitors, dental chairs, examination beds, wheel chairs and pharmaceutical drugs and will be distributed accordingly to all medical stations at the medical rooms at competition venues as well as the Athletes village.
The Athletes Polyclinic at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) will be where most of these medical supplies will be set up.
GOC’s Athlete Village Manger Adelbert Gangai in receiving the equipment on behalf of the GOC thanked the National government for its continued support to the Games.
“The Games is a very short period of time, but this is a contribution that will go a long way in nurturing a young and healthy generation long after the Games are gone”.
The Games Medical Team Chief Medical Officer Professor Nakapi Tefurani said “the Games medical team is now ready to get to work equipped with the best medical equipment at hand. This will ensure that everyone participating and attending the Games will be taken care of.”
The GOC has engaged a total of 168 volunteer medical personnel’s from doctors, dentists, HEO, nurses and Medical students to provide medical services during the games.
The Games medical services will be delivered in three areas, its first point of referral will be at Medical Venue rooms at each sporting venues as first aid.
Referrals deemed as medium cases will be at the Athletes Polyclinic at UPNG and all critical and emergency cases, will be referred to the POM Gen Emergency Area where a separate area has been set aside specially for Games emergencies.
All medical equipment and drugs purchased for the Games will be given back to the people of Papua New Guinea as part of the Games legacy.