Listen to community health workers

WHILE I read about doctors, bureaucrats, politicians and other frontline workers getting vaccinated against the coronavirus, I am concerned that not much assistance has been given to nurses, sisters and other health workers.
How many of them have been vaccinated?
If they are unsure or scared, I believe the public should know about their concerns.
We know that the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases is already putting a strain on the limited medical personnel and facilities we have in the country.
The National published an article yesterday quoting the Community Health Workers general-secretary calling on the Health Department to address their concerns.
The article states: “Last year, when the pandemic unfolded, we spoke about the welfare and safety of our health workers but nothing was done about it.
“They have not guaranteed the safety of our members and so far, three of our members have passed away (two CHWs from Goroka Hospital and one from Angau Memorial Hospital).
“Consequently, now we will expect more to die due to the ignorance of the authorities.”
If this is true, why are their concerns being ignored?
What else does Papua New Guinea want to happen before their concerns are addressed?
They are at the forefront of the Covid-19 response, providing treatment and care and in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies before patients are referred to doctors.
Quite simply, without them, there would be no Covid-19 response.

Concerned Daughter,
Pom