Hospital needs logistics for Covid-19 ward, CEO says

THE Southern Highlands health authority (PHA) is faced with a huge challenge of logistics.
PHA chief executive officer Dr Joseph Birisi told The National that of the 38 positive Covid-19 cases, nine were admitted at the nine bed Covid-19 ward (isolation center) in Mendi Provincial Hospital, while the 29 were self-isolated at their homes.
“We are doing our best to setup a 10 x 20 meters tent that will accommodate about 20 beds,” he said.
“Workers are now working on the foundation for the tent.”
Birisi said another need was the recruitment of casual workers that will respond to the Covid-19 cases, medicines and consumable, isolation ward setup and basic equipment, as equipment belonging to other hospital wards cannot be shared with the Covid-19 ward.
He said currently the only testing place in the province was the hospital, which they were using the Genetworx swab test and it is reliable.
However, the PHA is looking at expanding the Covid-19 services to increase testing and the ideal location was at Nipa Rural Hospital where it has accommodation capacities and other services and also at Ialibu Rural Hospital.