Cholera testing at PIH

National, Normal
Source:

WALLACE KIALA

THE Pacific International Hospital (PIH) yesterday announced its facility at Four-Mile is open for cholera testing.
PIH announced this in response to recent calls by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop for the city’s health facilities to take immediate public prevention measures against cholera.
Hospital vice-chairman Dr Mathias Sapuri said Mr Parkop should be commended for the timely initiative to have a cholera task force in place for the NCDC to fight cholera if cases were reported in the city.
“As the leading private hospital,
PIH  is complying with calls by the Government to contain the spread of cholera into disease-prone areas such as settlements where a lot of unhygienic practices and lack of proper sanitation are evident,” Dr Sapuri said.
He said he had met with Medecins San Frontiers (MSF) officials to get a briefing on the effects of cholera and dysentery in Menyamya, Wasu and Lae in Morobe province.
“I commend the Health Department and the Morobe provincial government for taking a proactive role and of course the dedicated support by World Health Organisation, MSF, AusAID and others that have helped contain and isolate the cholera outbreak in the affected areas,” Dr Sapuri said.
“It is important for NCD to be alert in preparation for travellers coming in and if cases are picked up here, PIH is ready to follow full Health Department and WHO protocol by reporting cases which can be identified 48 hours after testing is done.”
The tests at PIH cost just over K10.