Health official reveals outbreaks in Lengbati have been contained

THE outbreak of diseases at Lengbati in Burum-Kuat, and Sopa Valley in Yabem-Mape, Finschhafen, Morobe, has been contained, provincial acting health adviser Jack Aita says.
Aita said the medical team returned last Friday after two weeks of conducting an immunisation programme covering communities not covered last year.
Meanwhile, adults and children were treated for pneumonia, malaria and cough.
“It was a mixture of cases that caused the deaths and our disease control officer Edwin Benny is in Goroka with the specimens collected from Lengbati for the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) to verify,” Aita said.
“There are no further cases after the 25 reported deaths.
“Instead, our team at Sopa Valley is short of drugs.
“They have four villages yet to complete and we are organising medicines for them.”
He will submit a report to deputy provincial administrator social services Robin Bazinuc for deliberation.
Bazinuc said they would discuss where possible further assistance.
Aita suggested to the Finschhafen district administration to engage a community health worker to replace the one who had left Lengbati.
“Medical supplies to our rural health centres and aid posts are still not okay resulting in closing down of facilities,” he said.
Morobe has 367 aid posts and 52 health centres with three hospitals including Braun, Etep and Angau Memorial.
Menyamya health officer Samson Sakaneh said all aid posts in the district were closed because of no drug supplies and health workers.
Only the health centres in Menyamya and Aseki are operating.