Hospital cancels students’ clinical examinations

THE medical and health science students’ clinical examinations were suspended following a Coronavirus (Covid-19) surge at the Port Moresby General Hospital, chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi says.
Apart from scaling down services at the hospital, all University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine and Health Sciences undergraduate and post-graduate clinical examinations were suspended indefinitely since Monday, he said.
“This is due to the spike in Covid-19 cases and the unprecedented exertion of pressure on the already limited capacity the hospital can cater for,” he said.
“It is, therefore, important that all available resources, in particular the clinicians, nurses and support staff, be deployed in efforts to fight and mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 in the hospital.”
Dr Molumi urged all staff of the hospital and university to fully cooperate and adhere to the instructions to navigate through this extremely difficult period.
On Monday, Dr Molumi said the positive rate was 81 per cent which meant eight out of 10 patients with cough, fever or flu were tested positive for the Covid-19, which was high.
In terms of the severity of the case, he said 6 per cent were asymptomatic, 49 per cent mild, 38 per cent moderate and 6 per cent severe – needing intensive unit care.
Last week alone, there were 23 deaths and 270 Covid-19 patients went through the emergency department at the hospital, Dr Molumi said.
He added that the bed space for Covid-19 patients at the Ausmat tents, emergency department, isolation ward and wards were all full.
Dr Molumi urged people to get vaccinated.