Doc: Don’t turn away patients due to pandemic

THE Covid-19 pandemic should not be used as an excuse to turn away patients from hospitals, a senior doctor says.
West New Britain provincial health authority (PHA) chairman Dr Mathias Sapuri told health centres and hospitals to “learn to live with the Covid-19 and continue routine health services”.
He said the Kimbe General Hospital and other health facilities in WNB needed to be open and fully operational for people to access care and treatment for all medical conditions.
“The Covid-19 has not caused any deaths in PNG except for sporadic confirmations that should not overshadow the core business of delivering routine healthcare and services to the people,” Dr Sapuri said.
“Our nation has seen more deaths during the Covid-19 lockdown from major diseases such as TB, respiratory infections and pneumonia, HIV and AIDS, mental illness, maternal and new-born mortalities due to scaled down operations of the health facilities in PNG.
“We need to be vigilant in observing the new normal protocols and continue our work of serving the people.”
Dr Sapuri said frontline healthcare personnel needed to be properly equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and all provinces needed to maintain a minimum level preparedness.
He said the WNBPHA took a drastic step to contain the virus and protect frontline workers by building a comprehensive facility.
“Our partners are supporting our efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic with provision of PPEs and training on how to use them and have achieved excellent results so far,” Dr Sapuri said.