Covid-19 facility in Pom closed

By LULU MARK
THE Rita Flynn Covid-19 facility in Port Moresby set up last year to manage Covid-19 cases will be closed for an indefinite period, an official says.
National Capital District Health Authority acting chief executive officer Ken Wai told The National yesterday that the facility would only be reopened if there was another surge in the Covid-19 cases.
For now, he said Covid-19 services would be provided through the existing health system.
He said the Port Moresby General Hospital had 50 Covid-19 beds and 150 Covid-19 trained staff.
On top of that, city clinics resumed triaging and swabbing on Monday.
Personal protective equipment were also distributed on Monday.
“The Covid-19 testing will be done by GeneXpert in the clinics and the Central Public Health Laboratory,” he said.
Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said the hospital management had discussed with the city health authorities how to manage the Covid-19 patients.
“The Rita Flynn facility was set up to manage mild to moderate Covid-19 cases while the PMGH manages the more severe cases,” he said.
“Our observations over the past months is that not many cases of Covid-19 required admission at Rita Flynn and PMGH.”
He said the city health officials were concerned about the cost of maintaining Rita Flynn when there were not too many cases.
“Hence, we agreed to close down Rita Flynn indefinitely,” he said.
“The hospital will (also) manage mild and moderate Covid-19 cases at its isolation ward.”
Wai said earlier this month that huge bills were incurred at the Rita Flynn Covid-19 facility and other clinics, with K4 million already paid and K2.7mil outstanding.
St John Ambulance chief executive officer Matt Cannon said the drive-through sampling at the Taurama Aquatic Indoor Complex remained open.
Those who want to go there should contact [email protected] to book an appointment.