Association opens facility for potential Covid-19 patients

By SAMUEL BARIASI
AN isolation facility for potential Covid-19 patients is now open at the Filipino Association of PNG (FAPNG) clubhouse in Gordon, Port Moresby.
The facility of 50 rooms was opened yesterday by Foreign Affairs Minister Patrick Pruaitch, witnessed by Philippines ambassador Bienvenido Tejano and members of the Filipino community in Port Moresby.
Tejano said the facility (costing about K90,000) would be managed by medical and security personnel from FAPNG and was open to anyone in the event of an outbreak.
“The Filipino community in PNG have contributed their resources to show our support to the Government in this fight against Covid-19,” he said.
“We do not want to use this facility as much as possible, but (if) things get out of control, at least we have a facility to help.”
Pruaitch said he was pleased to see that the Filipino community contribute their resources to assist the PNG Government.
“The relationship between Papua New Guinea and the
people and the government of Philippines over the years is demonstrated here,” Pruaitch told Tejano.
FAPNG member and City Pharmacy Ltd wholesale pharmacy manager Cathy Madrid explained that the facility was a temporary shelter for potential Covid-19 patients.
“This is part of the contingency plan just in case there is an outbreak but we are hoping and praying that it will not be used,” she told The National.
She said she understood that the PNG health system was struggling so the contribution was aimed at lightening the burden on the Government.
“We do not want to (deny) our Papua New Guinean friends the opportunity to use their hospitals and other facilities,” Madrid said, adding that the Filipino population in PNG was high.