Angau closes emergency dept after staff attack

A SENIOR health official has confirmed that a hospital emergency department had to be closed after staff were attacked allegedly by the relatives of a man who had died of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Morobe health authority chief executive officer Dr Kipas Binga said the Angau Memorial Hospital’s emergency department was closed from midnight Wednesday, Oct 27 and reopened at midday on Thursday, Oct 28. He said it was the result of “a misunderstanding” after the man, a warder from Buimo prison, died after he was brought to the hospital.
“Yes some of our staff were assaulted but I’m happy the Buimo (prison) management came and sorted it out quickly,” he said.
“Those who misbehaved will be dealt with accordingly as it’s now a police matter.”
Jail commander Chief Supt Michael Wundia said the offenders were the warder’s relatives.
He said according to their statements to the Correctional Service hierarchy, they claimed that they were frustrated because medical assistance was given late to the warder.
According to a hospital staff, the emergency department was already struggling with limited manpower and equipment, serving between 75 and 100 patients a day with only 32 staff.
“In one (eight to 12 hours) shift, you may have only one doctor looking after the whole department,” the staff said.
“So you can’t expect quality care.”
The staff alleged that a nurse was attacked and another verbally abused during the incident.