Namah wants to stop govt from paying medical firm

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OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah plans to take legal action against the Government to stop it from paying K10.2million to a pharmaceutical company to produce a vaccine for the Covid-19.
He called on the people not to be used as guinea pigs for any drugs that local scientists might come up with.
He said the National Doctors Association and Health Minister Sir Puka Temu were not aware of the K10.2 million to be paid to Niugini Biomeds to carry out the research.
Namah questioned whether the K10.2 million was really for the medical research and plans to challenge the matter in court.
“I’m going to court to stop the drawdown of the K10.2 million,” he said. “I have already filed a submission against the pandemic.
“I have instructed my lawyers to go to court to put an immediate stay on the drawdown until the constitution application that I have filed challenging the validity of the Pandemic Act is heard and determined.”

44 comments

  • This Government is spending public funds on unnecessary commitments. K10.2 million is a huge sum of money. This money can be spent on other life style deceases that is affecting the people of Papua New Guinea. Not only that, the money can be spent on reconstructing the current aid post and clinics in rural areas.

  • The government could have funded this money to PNG MRI to carry out research for any vaccination or such, instead of offering millions of kina into a company that is only a month old with no credibility.

  • people are dying in the rural areas. drugs need most in the rural areas. i wish the authorities to distribute drugs on time. do not play hide and sick games, or power games to suffocate the innocent.

    • Namah is right. We will waste money without success!

      The WHO will partner with Experts and will provide the vaccine. Our government should wait patiently to purchase it when produced.

    • I do not support Namah on a lot of things but I do stand with Namah on this one. Its just insane to see such public money put to waste. I think there is better ways to support medical research in PNG other then pumping such a large amount of money into one of the most expensive research in modern history. Even the most developed and biggest economic countries in the world who have the financial capacity to develop the vaccine have a long way to go to get the vaccine to the shelve. .. Trust me K10.2 million kina is not enough for this kind of research…. I wonder who is advising the prime minister Marape. Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos the two worlds richest men already paid a pharmacy company in USA billions of dollars to distribute the vaccine in developing countries through World Health Organization should the Vaccine is produced in USA.

  • Namah you Are right. World’s best scientist took long to develop vaccines ..a developing and corrupt nation developing the 1st worlds approved vaccines is a fantasy. hahah

  • How can we not trust our DR.s.
    Give them support to try out their knowledge to invent, everywhere in the world is racing to find a cure for COVID-19.
    Why not PNG, we got the best brains working on it,
    Opposition Leader you should support instead of undermining our doctors.
    I am in support of our PM and the Pharmaceutical company.
    Why crying for K10.2 million.!!! It will still come around, lets try them out and see.
    I believe we can do it.
    God blessed PNG and it is the land of the unexpected. Expect the unexpected!!

    • Who are these so called best scientists. They have yet to prove themselves. What medicines have they produced in the past. What are their credentials

      • Not fooled, I will high light one for your info,,,,,
        Dr.Kerenga discovered a cocktail of protein molecules under supervision of Dr.Clement Waine.
        His discovery is now applied as Organic Insecticides on agricultural crops used across Australia.
        First of a kind Bio-Insecticides in the world called SEROX-X.
        Look it up.

  • We should be already producing Malaria, Cough and antibiotics already under a ” Kumul Pharmarciticals Limited” If we have no history of producing basic commercial medicine how can we come up with Covid 19 Cure?? Everybody starts small and builds up.

    • LMPR ….Those disease named were there some 100years ago and medicine invented.
      Other Pharmaceuticals are here to sell.
      We are talking about COVID-19. If the world can’t is a matter of trying so lets give them support.
      They need support to build and improve technology in that field of science.
      Remember this is a SME to start off with and the government is helping and we should encouraged them instead of putting negative comments.
      We should be proud of them otherwise we will still live in caves and woods.

      • Let’s not blindly support this people. Have been you heard about Noah musingku n money rain people.. these are the same ppl trying to defraud PNG. PMJM if u want to help, use your own money to invest. Do not misuse ppl,s money

  • Its time to support our local researchers, chemists and doctors. Please people support PMJM to Develop this project. Do you always want to be a customers for other overseas medical suppliers? How can we develop if we do not give a try? All previous governments never thought of making things by themselves, PMJM this is a good start keep it going!

  • I think our doctors can do it if the government of today can give that kind of support..and I still believe in them. If you don’t know one proof of our PNG DOCTORS, the so called MALAWAN( Malafentrine) is created by our PNG IMR Doctors, but it was manufactured in INDIA authorised by our doctors…correct me if i am wrong..

    • Nestor. That’s an absolute lie. Who are you trying to kid. If so which PNG Doctor or scientists owns the patent.

  • I think the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) must be involved. IMR was there for the people of PNG during the outbreak of COVID 19. Very deserving for IMR .

  • Invention, innovation and imitation is encouraged. This will create jobs, more money into the pockets of our people. PMJM may be investing in something we don’t have access to information such as company history and their capabilities to work on such important scientific project.

  • Read your history books…PNG is yet to make history let s put some of these ideas into action…that’s part taking back PNG…

  • Successful people and country’s for that matter are those that take the risk of trying. Those who don’t try never had the chance to be successful. Give a go, why not? We have the expertise. Who on earth says no to PNG? We are a sovereign nation built on principles in trying and pursuing anything to benefit our country. Papua New Guinean’s should learn to believe in ourselves. We continue to doubt our potentials in many aspects and by way of such, we continue to trust anything that comes in foreign package whether it be good or bad. Nationalist ideology is an fundamental notion that binds a nation to be strong and as a nationalist, K10.2 million is nothing to trying something for better PNG. PMJM is a risk taker and that is a kind of leader PNG need today going forward.

    • Manu,,,,I really support your comments here, that’s the way we PNG should think. Think positive!!

      Those who believe in cargo cult, Sanguma, glassman, sorceries are nothing but pain in the head as these guys can’t contribute to the development of our wonderful country.
      They should change their mindset and attitude.
      Once again thank you Manu N for your positive comment towards our PM and scientist.

  • We have some of our best pilots flying UAE airlines. If this is any indication that we can compete with the world’s best brains in any professions, why are we doubting our doctors potential? Give them a chance for the better! Lets take a risk…lets use our doctors!

  • Come on Belden, look at this development from another angle. If your own people are going to try and do something new and big , let them. Why try to undermine our scientists intelligence. It’s time we support research work in this country. We’re blessed by God with great biodiversity. If only we are given the political support, things can be achieved, even in uncharted areas. Doubting Thomas’s will always be there, pray that they are put to shame.

  • It’s very FISSY PNG. A company established in August 2020, (just overnight) with no experience, no facilities and track records to facilitate development of COVID 19 Vaccine. Why can’t we put that K10M into MRI and NRI and get Niugini Biomed to work alongside them. We have established organisation that can do that.

  • Never underestimates your very own DR’s,this is 2000 millennium as proclaim in the biblical doctrines,foolish can teach the wise so a small island country like PNG can invent covid-19 medicine through our Lord”s intervention and proof to super powers like USA,China,India and Russia etc..everything is possible with God like we as a christain country based our principality and proclaim his good news every time before we can do anything….so PMJM go a head and do what you have plan,all of us believe in you that our God is using you as a Moses and will deliver us from corruptions which was done and mounting some very long time a go…

  • I can not see why GOD let us suffer/die from lots of diseases such TB, malaria, lots of other infections, and cancers to name a few but save us from COVID-19.
    Sinners die from above diseases and will go to hell but sinners are saved from COVID and may live, repent and go to Heaven,
    Why is COVID different from TB, malaria and all other infections that kill humans?

  • Bomai Yal, P..N Zuks, K One Kora, Batz Mai, Erupe and Nestor Kaul,
    You all are great people in encouraging our own scientist for innovative, researching in science to find a cure.
    Thanking you all for your positive comments posted in our dailies. we need more of this kind of mentalities.
    God bless you all.

    • Well said John, we need more positive thinking PNGians in our country. If other human beings can do, we can also do the same and even more..it all start by taking the first step.

  • Its better to try then never. Don’t undermine yourself. Let our doctors give a try. Our country is blessed with so many natural herbs just that we need to use a correct formula produce a product. I support the move made by our PM. God Bless PNG

  • There are many potential and even brilliant scientists or doctors available in PNG. However, due to lack of fundings or financial supports from the past governments have cripple our scientists and doctors. That K10.2 million can be used to improve their laboratory by purchasing new machines and 21st century equipments.
    So let’s support our scientists and doctors. Think positive.

  • The idea is correct but they approach is NOT. Computer modeling as done by our scientists are initial background start in scientists offices of new potential substances for a new drug. I understand from EMTV presentation that this group of scientists did modeling on 40 known or existing drugs to find which one works. Unfortunately, all these drugs they are talking about have been trialled and are trialled and the boundaries are pushed to the limit by world scientists to find the holy grail treatment for Covid.

    After finding the right drug then invitro or Laboratory experiments are conducted. If it’s working then it is now followed up with larger animal trials then a later human trial (this need thousands of Covid patients to do and not just few hundreds). When trial is completed, the findings will be submitted to FDA and or Human Medicine Authorities in US or Europe respectively for experts to critically analyze and vouch for the authenticity of the trail findings. It takes minimum of 15 years for approval if the findings are so good. Otherwise it can take up to 30 to 40 years. Many promising modelings of substances and trialled drugs never found their ways into human markets for Consumptions.

    There is process in place for approval for study. Unfortunately the PNG scientists have many plausible approach to scientific investigations. One wonders if this is now Covid 22 syndrome.

    Some of these scientists are my colleagues and friends but their approach here is disappointing

    I find it embarrassing when my colleagues English doctors talk about this when we have coffee after our Clinical work

    Dr. Leslie Bahn Kawa FRCP

  • BioMed is a scam. Like taking back PNG and PNG becoming a Rich Black Christian Country, its all cargo cult.
    PMJM why don’t you provide K10 million to NAQIA to fight African Swine Fever disease of pigs in the upper Highlands of PNG?

    • Wake up David, We are talking about human beings here and not pigs.
      I don’t think BioMed is a scam !!
      You can wait until after 2030 and raise your voice on taking back PNG.
      You are jumping too early.

  • Dr.Leslie B. Kawa, you said it will take 15 years for trail but recently they do trails on a vaccine on human in US and also in Russia.
    If your colleagues are trying, you should also try because you are a qualified Dr.
    We are a independent state and we can start doing something like your colleagues do and then present it to FDA or WHO for approval leading to human consumption.
    I believe they have only 10 drugs out of almost 3,000 and not 40 as you stated.
    Its not my profession but the way I look at it is all jealousy.

  • Its a race against time and so if our expertise are needed to curb this global pandemic, why not? Other new diseases may still come so its not a bad idea to start building our resources. We may not find a cure for covid but we will in time, contribute meaningfully to global health.

  • FDA has a clause to approve quickly any drugs in case of public health emergency. However, it must be rigorously scrutinised.

    Modeling existing drugs and trialing it in a country with low sampling does not and will not add a strong argument for FDA approval.

    Mr. Bomial I have no and hold no professional jealousy. I understand your perspective because it’s very ripe among yourselves in Papua New Guinea.

    Our scientists idea is right but the process and gaps do not match to qualify for approval.

    All the best

  • Being Patriotic about your nation does not Qualify nor Quantify K10 million of public funds going to waste.
    We are in an Economic Crisis here, and as an income earner, you know whats a NEED and what’s a WANT. Covid is not killing PNGeans, curable diseases are. These Doctors/Scientists should know what is the main killer here is and research and develop altenate methods/equipment to fight these.
    Well, I see this very fishy, especially when somebody just decided to register a company and is asking the government for funding. If you think that your success likelihood high in this research, why don’t you write to investors and convince them to invest in your propaganda.
    Otherwise, just share your findings with MRI and other already existing institutions. They should connections with WHO, etc.

    Btw, 500+ people in PNG need K10 million to go get Cancer treatment overseas because our government can’t provide this much needed services here…

  • Marape’s move is absolutely right!!!!!!!!!!!! We need to start believing in ourselves in this day and age. Give our local scientists a chance to prove themselves. They deserve all of PNG’s encouragement and moral support. All these negative comments do not help us PNGeans in the long run. Believe in ourselves.

  • Lets listen to subject matter experts – its a long process to find, develop, trial and approve a drug/vaccine for human consumption. Some of us have brains that needs expanding to properly understand how appreciate the long processes involved leading up to finally approving a drug/vaccine by relevant authorities. For a start, PNG lacks world class facilities/set up and established systems and processes to begin talking about giving our scientists a go at developing a cure for COVID-19. So stop the bullshit of giving them a go but building them the facilities to work with using tK10 million kina. The PM has been fooled!

  • In this same tabloid a poor health worker in Morobe is crying for consistent supply of drugs to his rural outpost as he is turning away thousands of patients. His plight is the plight of many in the rural areas. Yet we seem to have money to throw here and there at developing some fancy vaccine. Caesar is certainly playing fiddle while Rome is burning.

  • We have children coming up.some going to be doctors and scientists, We can not put our own men and women down if they have knowledge.If world can make it, why not us. we can make through God and we support them and they can do trial one, If they do it in a corrupt way then it will not work out but if this is from their heart, I believe will God will help them to make it happen.

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