Numu stands by statement on number of deaths

EASTERN Highlands Governor Peter Numu (pic) is standing by his statement that at least 35 people had died from an illness despite the hospital saying it was only three.
He called on the Provincial Health Authority and the Goroka Hospital management to await a report by the team from the Health Department and World Health Organisation sent to Goroka to investigate the matter.
The report is expected to be released this week, according to Health secretary Pascoe Kase.
Numu said because the figure he gave was contradicted by the hospital management, they should all await the report.
“Let us not talk and allow the investigating team to proceed and let the findings (be released) to establish the facts,” he said.
“People continuously come to see me complaining that their family members died or others were not treated well at the hospital and died.
“The rate is alarming.”
He said he had asked the Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Elias Kapavore to conduct the investigation.
“Therefore, let the investigating team give the right number of deaths and cause of the deaths,” Numu said.
“Right now, I am giving a figure and the health management is giving their own figure.
“All of us have a conflict of interests – me for the people while the management are in-charge of the hospital.
“It is better for all of us to be neutral and let the investigations find out.”