Focus on entry ports

The National Letters

I WISH to rebut the statement made by acting secretary of Health Dr Paison Dakulala that appeared in The National on Friday (March 13) about investing K10 million of K45 million in all provinces in Covid-9 response.
My question is, why is the acting secretary willing to invest that K10 million to all the provinces?
It is of paramount concern that Covid-9 will be transmitted by people arriving abroad to PNG; therefore, that money should be invested in entry ports such as airports, wharfs and along borders.
These are points where people transit and the Government and relevant agencies should seriously step up and focus wholly on these areas.
Why investing money in other provinces where there is no entry port?
Port Moresby’ Jackson international airport is the main area where people travel in from abroad.
Passengers should be screened before they board a plane to PNG or travel on ship along the border in Wewak.
As soon as Covid-9 hits Port Moresby, it will definitely spread as bush fire.
Just look at our lifestyle choices – how we live, eat and interact with each other.
The way we conduct ourselves will speak for itself when Covid-19 hits the shores of PNG.
This is indeed a concern when the bulk of PNG population are illiterate; chances are that corona-virus could easily spread as a bush fire, given our eating habits, movement, sharing etc.
Prevention is always better than cure. Invest money in the targeted entry ports only.
Focus on these areas then prevention will be at its liberty.

Frustrated Concern,
POM

One thought on “Focus on entry ports”

  • RE: Focus on entry ports.

    I truly support what my Frustrated Concern brother had mentioned. RE: Focus on entry ports.
    To add on what my brother had stated, the most venerable point of entry to PNG from outside will be Autonomous Region of Bougainvillea, ESP, Madang and Sandaun Province. People will come into Solomon Island by plane as tourist and transit through ARB and to any destinations across PNG. The sencond most dangerous destination will be through Indonesia to Jayapura and to our border, Sandaun Province. There, they can do whatever they can to cross the boarder by boat. Please bare in mind that illegal entry to PNG MUST be considered as breaking the law of our country. The illegal entries must be deported out of the country whether Negative or Positive from the Covid-9 on that very day. Don’t wait.

    To my understanding, the people travelling into PNG through Jackson international Airport were not that too risky but those who travel through the port or destinations mentioned above were mostly at risk .

    Polio Man

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