PNG soldiers assistance during Oro disaster
BY CAPT THOMAS KILALA
DURING the Oro province disaster caused by Cyclone Guba last year the PNG Defence Force was deployed after a call-out for a State of Emergency was declared.
A Defence Force medical team was sent across to assist in the disaster operation.
The cyclone brought torrential rain causing massive floods and landslides that damaged food gardens and homes.
The disaster claimed more then 500 lives, destroying more then 100 villages and affected over 60, 000 people. It also affected Rabaraba area in Milne Bay and Sovara in the Morobe province.
The Defence Force Medical team led by military doctor Major Peter Kaminiel was deployed to Guruguru village in the middle Musa area from January 6 -29 this year after receiving intelligence reports from a medical reconnaissance that there was an out break of yaws, diarrhea and malaria diseases.
Three other nearby villages of Dove, Yogura and Ajigari were also affected.
The medical team traveled by foot through Wanigela Mission Station. They conducted clinics at Wanigela health centre and also treated 239 patients who suffered from diarrhea, sores, skin infections and malaria in Uve village.
During ward rounds at Wanigela Health Centre, Doctor Kaminiel made three referrals to Popondetta General Hospital and also conducted one minor and major operation at Wanigela and Tufi Health Centre.
The team assisted the locals to build latrines for the aid posts, dig up fresh water holes for the villages and also demonstrated how to treat water with ordinary household bleach. They also conducted other health activities and awareness with the villagers on family planning, HIV/AIDS and STI, community health and hygiene, sexual abuse, child abuse and family violence.
Local leaders and the community appreciated the teaching and awareness sessions.
The locals were overwhelmed by the presence of the soldiers telling them they were “the first PNG Defence Force personnel to set foot in Guruguru since 1945”.
So much was their appreciation that the local chiefs agreed to make Doctor Kaminiel a Chief of the Guruguru village.
After the teams visit Doctor Kaminiel recommended in his report to the Defence Force Health Services that the provincial and national health authorities take ownership of the situation and move into the Foru area to attend to people affected by a yaws outbreak that was spreading up the Upper Musa area.
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