Association raises concerns over well-being of nurses

THE PNG Nurses Association is concerned about the health and well-being of its members, with two suffering from breast cancer and heart diseases.
Association general secretary Gibson Siune said the Health Department had not provided any insurance cover to the nurses.
“Nurses are exposed to lifestyle and communicable diseases while providing care for patients in hospitals and clinics,” Siune said.
Murupa Hailai, 59, who has been serving as a nurse for more than 30 years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.
She has been working at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) for 17 years.
“They do everything that is possible to provide care for the patients, but once they become sick, it is a huge challenge (for the) association,” he said.
Bruce Kumin, 58, a nurse employed by the Western Highlands provincial health authority was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2018.
He was referred to the PMGH from Mt Hagen general hospital.
Last year, he was to be treated at a hospital in the Philippines.
But because it would have cost about K100,000, the trip was put off.
Siune said the association did not have the money to look after their health and well-being.
The association partnered with the Public Health Assurance Company Limited (PHACL) last year to support nurses who fall sick in the course of their duties.
PHACL chairman Raj Juta urged nurses to join the insurance scheme as it was important to help them have adequate health insurance cover.