Morobe task force seeks funding

THE dysentery and cholera outbreak in Morobe province will be brought under complete control if funding is made available to meet contingencies, the task force responsible for controlling these diseases was told yesterday.
The task force briefing was also told that conditions were improving throughout most parts of Lae city and the province, but more money was needed to upgrade sanitation and water supply needs.
An environmental health officer from AusAID, assisting environmental health officers in Lae to conduct surveys, said that most of the donations received were directed toward treating the affected areas and addressing medical supplies.
He said there had been no funding toward water and sanitation issues in affected areas and until the Government provided funding, no further action would be taken.
Last week, environmental health officers were dispatched to Menyamya and Wasu to conduct surveys.
Feasibility studies will also need to be conducted before any permanent structure is set up.
Funding would also be needed to conduct these studies, Morobe provincial programme adviser for health, Dr Theo Likei, said.
Dr Victor Golpak, coordinator of the Morobe outbreak task force, said K8 million had already been approved by the National Government and would be available this week.
PNGDF team leader assisting the task force, Major Ivan Timo, said the money was for his soldiers to continue helping for longer than the planned six weeks.
Major Timo said the PNGDF had been asked to assist in the construction of pit latrines and water supply structures.