Hospital attack condemned

 By JAMES APA GUMUNO

THE people in the Jiwaka region, Western Highlands, have condemned the attack on a nurse working at the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.

The people are carrying out their own investigation to arrest a suspect involved.

Two weeks ago, a man went into the hospital and chopped the nurse’s arm with a bush knife, after she refused to leave with him.

The attack resulted in the closure of the hospital and in-patients all sent to other hospitals in the highlands region.

Village chief of Kumai tribe John Kos, who was taking the lead with the Nazarene church in the establishment of the hospital, said some suspects were identified but they needed to be certain before handing them to the police.

Kos said finding the attacker would bring some comfort to the victim and the community who were unhappy over the incident which resulted in the closure of the hospital.

He said if they find the offender the community would contribute to help the victim who is from Vanimo, West Sepik.

Kos said the hospital was well known for providing quality health care in the region and could not be allowed to be closed for too long.

The hospital management said the hospital would remain closed until the suspect was identified and handed over to police.