Funds will be available for hospital, says Parkop

By LULU MARK
THE National Capital District (NCD) will make available funds to support health facilities in Port Moresby hit hard by the surge in the Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, says Governor Powes Parkop.
He said the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) had requested a two-month budget of K2.6 million which would be provided.
The St John Ambulance which is running the Nightingale Covid-19 centre at the Taurama Aquatic Centre (TAC) with the PMGH and the NCD Health Authority (NCDHA) will submit a budget for its programmes.
“Whatever they need, we will support,” he said.
“The beds at TAC have been increased (from 30) to 40, and we will continue to increase the beds if we have to.
“The NCDHA will be doing more vaccination, testing and surveillance.”
Parkop said since there would be no lockdown in Port Moresby, the PMGH, TAC and NCDHA would be supported adequately to allow them to operate smoothly.
St John Ambulance chief executive officer Matt Cannon said on Sunday there were 47 people admitted at the TAC of which five were severe and on oxygen, 24 moderate and on oxygen too, and 18 mild who did not need oxygen. The ambulance service on Saturday attended to 59 emergency cases in Port Moresby of which 34 were Covid-19-related, seven were respiratory complaints plus 18 other cases.
NCD Health Authority chief executive officer Dr Steven Yennie said as of Oct 23, 32,475 had received the first dose of the AstraZeneca and 17,778 the second dose.
Also, 30,790 have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.