MP dies of Covid-19

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE Covid-19 has claimed its first casualty in Parliament – Kerema MP Richard Mendani.
Mendani’s death was announced by National Pandemic Response Controller and Police Comm David Manning on Saturday.
Mendani passed away after a month-long admission at the Pacific International Hospital (PIH) in Port Moresby.
He was admitted on Feb 24 after complaining of fever, cough and headache on Feb 19.
Comm Manning said Mendani was initially diagnosed with pneumonia by the Hope Clinic but his condition worsened.
And on suspicion of the Covid-19, a PCR test was conducted at PIH and the result was positive. Comm Manning reiterated that the threat of death from the Covid-19 was real and it was an invisible killer spreading through the air we inhale and what we touch.
“We can all do our part to protect each other and our families by keeping them safe by adhering strictly to public health protocols in the New Normal,” he said.
“We are experiencing the second wave of the virus spike, and it is much worse than the first.
“We have 3,085 positive cases in PNG. That is triple the positive cases one month ago and we have to prepare for the positive cases to rise.
“Since the outbreak, a total of 55,411 people in PNG have been tested for the Covid-19, out of which 3,085 had tested positive.
“Currently, pending at the laboratory for results are 2,379 samples.”
The death toll remains at 36.
“Let us all start wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining social distancing.
Manning has urged all positive cases, including the asymptomatic patients to ensure they isolated themselves for the number of days given even if they were told to do this in their homes.

8 comments

  • If that is true then please do provide all PPE for all Health WORKERS around the country. Because they are the front liners and first people to be infected…

  • Pacific International Hospital (PIH) does not live up to its name in the medical service it provides to the patients. The chances of patients getting recovered and return home after being admitted at PIH is so slim. Looking at the history, most of PNG’s high profile citizens including elites have been dying at PIH. Is PIH here for profit at the expense of PNG citizens or really providing real health care for the well being of the citizens? Can the relevant authority check on the qualifications of each of the medical practitioners especially those from abroad work at PIH? It appears most, if not all, doctors and nurses at PIH have fake qualifications, as a result death toll remains tall at PIH compared to other health care facilities.

  • I agree with Mulapin Yari, Almost all highly respected citizens of this country who went to get treatment there have passed on. I am wondering if the hospital is there to save lives or otherwise.

  • PIH is the place where people enter alive, and exit dead. I wonder who is going to pay his bill? 1 month will not be cheap.

  • Before things go bad to worst the National Government should come up with some strategies to protect our students from Elementary to Universities with their staff to avoid covid_19. Next strategy be designed to control the movement of public servants, thrid strategy be designed to control public movements on pmvs are etc. Otherwise if no strategic plans are done, we will regret some day. PNG, what is important? Money or life? Decide now and act for better.

  • Is there an ISO for all medical practitioners that the NDoH will screen to allow qualified Doctors to work here?

  • Check the background of the hospital and its staffs (overseas staffs) and their purpose of being here in the country. I have been hearing rumors about the institution that they are muslim and the whole purpose is to remove Christianity in PNG coz PNGans are christians.

    If this is real then authorities must carryout a thorough investigation into the allegations.

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