Australia deploys emergency medical team

AN emergency management team from Australia arrived in Port Moresby on Saturday to help Papua New Guinea respond to the surge in Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.
The Australian High Commission in a statement said the Australian team would work with PNG authorities.
National Pandemic Controller David Manning and Australia High Commissioner Jon Philp welcomed the team which included three Australian medical assistance team health specialists, two logisticians plus staff from Emergency Management Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“They will support the PNG National Control Centre to coordinate its Covid-19 response, support the management in severe cases and help distribute equipment and supplies across the country,” the statement said.
Australia is also providing 40 oxygen concentrators for patients in hospitals.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said the Australian government continued to assist PNG respond to the new surge in Covid-19 cases.
“Health Minister Jelta Wong and I discussed further targeted assistance that Australia can provide.
“I confirmed with Minister Wong that Australia will also deploy another Ausmat team to PNG to assess how we can support the PNG health system respond to this outbreak.
“I also reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to meeting PNG’s vaccine supply needs, as vaccination is a crucial part of the road to recovery.”