Injuries worry doctors

By CLARISSA MOI and MIRIAM ZARRIGA
FOUR people died from booze-fuelled fights as Port Moresby General Hospital doctors raised their concerns about the number of people who were admitted over New Year with head injuries.
Twelve of the 40 admitted to the hospital suffered brain injuries, the hospital’s chief executive officer Dr Pake Molumi said.
Another four are waiting to have surgery.
While police in the capital reported a quieter New Year with fewer incidents, the hospital painted a different picture.
Dr Molumi said the admittance of a high number of patients from alcohol-related injuries was unprecedented.
“On Jan 1, 8am to 4pm, there was an increase of alcohol-related admissions at Pom Gen,” he said.
“The number of cases over the past couple of years were minor injuries, with the majority of major cases from knife wounds and the maximum number of cases being 20. However, 2020-2021 has seen a rise to 40 cases and cases are severe – involving head injuries.”
“When you hit someone on the head, it is with intent to kill, because a blow to the head will kill someone.”
The hospital’s surgical coordinator Dr Noah Tapaua said he had to push back a lot of other surgeries to deal with the head injuries admitted to the emergency ward.
“When I have to push back a lot of other surgeries, I am putting aside important surgeries like cancer and other surgeries to deal with the head injuries of someone who has been drinking,” he said.
“There are 150 beds in the emergency ward, they are all full, we have had patients sleeping on the floor.
“I have also had to pull staff from their holiday break to deal with the rise in patients on the surgery list.
“From the 40 brought to the emergency ward suffering from alcohol-related injuries, 20 had to be admitted. From the 20, 12 have suffered severe head injuries that is why this is serious.
“I can tell you that all those admitted are from the settlements, the youngest admitted is 11 years old with the oldest 46 years old.”
Dr Molumi said from the four who died, three were males and one female.
“The youngest who died is 17 years old, with the oldest at 50 years old.”
No deaths were reported in Central, provincial commander Chief Insp Opai Tapp said.
A murder occurred at Tokam Barracks, Waigani, during a big fight.
In Madang, two deaths were reported, one from an alleged suicide. Across in Goroka, four homes were burnt after a fight between a father and his sons spiralled out of control.
In the Islands, Lorengau, Manus, the BSP ATM at the hospital was smashed by five armed men.
Police commander Chief Insp David Yapu said that the five did not leave with any money because the security system of the machine locked the money in.
Police are still searching for the suspects (Story on Pg 6).
East New Britain police commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali said New Year was peaceful and quiet.
Chief Insp Tabali told The National in Kokopo yesterday that New Year celebrations were peaceful and quiet compared to past years.
In Southern, police were out patrolling the streets. In Milne Bay, fears of a major criminal activity to occur was dispelled as police continued monitoring and providing security for the residents of the province.
Acting South Fly commander Snr Insp Ewai Segi said South and Middle Fly in Western were peaceful despite the usual noisy homebrew-fuelled parties, especially in Daru.
In Hela, provincial commander Chief Insp Teddy Agwi reported a quiet New Year.
“There was no major incidents reported, combined security forces were out in full and thus, stopped any issues from erupting,” he said.
Acting Eastern Highlands commander Supt Paul Nacca said celebrations were peaceful besides a few drunken fights in parts of Goroka and Daulo.