‘Aging’ workforce a drawback

By ZACHERY PER
THE aging police and health services manpower is a one of the major drawbacks in the effective enforcement of state of emergency (SOE) orders.
This critical scenario was pointed out by Eastern Highlands health authority chief executive officer Dr Joseph Apa and Eastern Highlands police commander Supt David Seine Jnr at a meeting with stakeholders at the PNG Institute of Medical Research this week.
Dr Apa said the slow execution of SOE orders was largely due to aging health services manpower in the province.
He said young officers would be assisted by health volunteers on implementing SOE orders relating to the Covid-19 operation.
“We will not force anyone to get in to do the job but they will come on board voluntarily to assist to do surveillance, advocacy and processing of Covid-19 patients if we have any,” he said.
Dr Apa said the provincial health authority had established screening, isolation and referral facilities and were waiting for final touches this week before they could accept patients.
Supt Seine Jnr also alluded to the aging police manpower as another obstacle to effective policing, especially the SOE orders.
He said due to unfavourable situations confronting the police, he reverted all the officers to their original position while waiting for logistical support.