Equip health facilities

THE coronavirus outbreak is now a growing international concern as the outbreak increases to more than 80 countries around the world.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said country’s should look at the experience of others infected with Covid-19 and be prepared.
Those who think that the virus won’t affect them are making a deadly mistake.
Is the PNG public health system prepared?
Are all the hospitals nationwide working overtime to prepare to respond to this outbreak?
The virus can show up anywhere in PNG.
Rural health facilities nationwide have less capacities, less resources, less protective equipment, less training around infectious control and lack access to vital information that hospitals have.
The Government needs to step in and equip rural health services with resources and protective equipment.
This disease is causing alarm across the globe.
There is a growing concern in the health workforce regarding their personal safety.
These are the frontline health workers who would care for infected patients.
Are we ready to handle the influx of patients?
Are the health staff ready to handle an outbreak?
Prevention is better than cure.

Peter Kimbe,
Simbu