Increase demand on hospital

THE Port Moresby General Hospital is unable to continue to provide primary and secondary healthcare and function as a level 7 hospital at the same time, says acting chief executive Dr Paki Molumi.
Molumi said with an increased population, there was a resultant increase in the demand for healthcare.
“Port Moresby General Hospital is the only public health facility providing 24-hour emergency, radiology, pharmacy and pathology services for the National Capital Distrct (NCD), Central and parts of Gulf,” he said.
“That is a catchment of close to 800,000 people.
“Port Moresby General Hospital also receives referrals from the rest of the country and is expected to act as a level 7 teaching hospital.”
Molumi said this was why there were long queues, overcrowding and many people had to wait a long time before been served at the emergency, labour ward, radiology, pathology, pharmacy and consultation.
“Saving lives is our core business so despite not having the capacity or the manpower, Port Moresby General Hospital continues to serve the people of the NCD, Central and Gulf,” he said.
“At the same time, it continues to function as a level 7 teaching hospital receiving referrals from other hospitals across the nation.”
Molumi said the Port Moresby General Hospital needed the support from the National Government, Department of Health, National Capital District Commission, Central Government, non-government organisations and donor partners to establish fully functional district hospitals within NCD and Central to take the load off the hospital.