Govt urged to address concerns

The National National
A police officer checking a PMV to ensure passengers were following the “Niupela Pasin” under the National Pandemic Orders at Manu-Auto Port in Port Moresby on Tuesday. ACP Anthony Wagambie says the Covid-19 operations and enforcement still continued in the in the capital and Central. – Nationalpic by JOEL HAMARI

FRONTLINE health workers have urged the Government, international partners and stakeholders to address concerns associated with AstraZeneca vaccination.
According to National Nurses Association president Fredrick Kebai, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (Unicef) needed to provide an update and clarity on the vaccine being rolled out plan, emphasis on vaccine cold chains and logistics throughout the country.
“The WHO and Unicef technical team needs to clarify who will be involved in vaccine roll out plan, and why the roll out is done strategically for which front line workers and institutions,” Kebai said.
Kebai said the Health Department, National Capital District health authority (NCD PHA), Port Moresby General Hospital and other partners needed to address the
role of nurses when nationwide
roll-out of the vaccine started, including the training of healthcare workers.
“To emphasis on some of the frequently asked questions and misperceptions on vaccine, and clarify the communication channels, provide clarity on other Covid-19 matters relating to standard treatment protocol and management of the Covid-19 cases by front line healthcare workers.”
He said the Health Department needed to coordinate and ensure clear communication with all PHAs in the roll-out of vaccines through the country.
Meanwhile, association general secretary Gibson Siune said there were some apprehension about the AstraZeneca vaccine among the people including nurses as a result of information, commentaries and
views on its side effects being circulated on social media globally and nationally.
“Nurses are confused as frontline healthcare workers whether to be vaccinated or not,” Siune said.