Basics run low at ward

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 3rd January 2012

THE Accidents and Emergency ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital reported that basic medical supplies were depleted at a faster rate during this Christmas and New Year period.
Supplies for the period ran out as emergency cases started flooding the hospital two weeks before Christmas.
It is believed antibiotics, intravenous fluids, syringes, gloves, strings and needles for wounds and sterilised gauzes were running out and patients were asked to buy their own. 
It is issuing stamped receipts to patients to buy antibiotics or gauze from other private health facilities and pharmacies.
Head of unit Dr Sam Yockopua was not available for comment.
The service reported no deaths during New Year but many extensive trauma cases, mainly alcohol-related head and limb injuries.
It said it had reported emergency cases at a rate of two at a time since 9pm of Dec 31 to midday of Jan 1, which had exhausted staff.