Doctors mourn loss of senior paediatrician

The National Doctors’ Association (NDA) has described the killing of Dr Alphonse Rongap in Lae on Saturday as barbaric and senseless.
Association president Dr James Naipao said they lost a dedicated leader in the union movement and in health.
“The NDA absolutely condemns the loss of life through all forms of violence – a prominent and senior doctor in the city of Lae has lost his life through this barbaric act,” Naipao said.
He was a senior paediatrician based at the Angau Memorial Hospital and had served in the medical profession for over 35 years.
He was killed  in an armed hold up.
“In this time of grief and sorrow, our prayers and condolences go out to  Rongap’s family for the loss of a great person, doctor, union leader, teacher, mentor, husband, father and a dedicated children’s doctor.”
Naipo said the thugs responsible should be brought be brought to justice as soon as possible.
“All respective legal authorities and the community in Lae must work together to apprehend these useless and unwanted criminals,” Naipao said.
“In protest and in respect, clinical services at Angau hospital will scale down to cover emergencies only,” he said.