Nurses in rural areas still working despite threats

By PISAI GUMAR
NURSES in rural areas continue to provide patient care responsibilities under extreme pressure and threat from patients due to inadequate drugs supplies, deteriorated facilities and without enough staff, an official says.
Wampar council manager Joe Paru in Huon Gulf, Morobe said the Government failed over time to provide ample funding to improve health facilities, staff and deliver drugs on time.
Paru remarked during International nurses day celebrated by health staff from Salamaua, Morobe Post and Wampar on Friday.
The nurses recited ‘save a life and you are a hero, save hundreds of lives and you are the nurse’.
“Regardless of the meaningful chant, nurses in remotest Huon Gulf and other districts are faced with difficulties in drug supplies, rundown facilities and not enough workers.
“Nurses continue to use kerosene lamps and torches at night to treat patients using local herbs and prayers to stabilise patients,” Paru said.
In Huon Gulf, out of 47 aid posts – 12 were closed, five were in Salamaua and four each in Wampar and Morobe patrol post.
“These nurses walk for days or travel by dinghies or dugout canoes to buy drugs in Lae.
“When clinics are closed over no drugs, nurses face the consequences being attacked by patients,” Paru said.
He said complications of pregnant women, critical axe or knife injuries, snake bites, bows and arrow injuries over land issues or adultery cases were a common problem.
International Nurses Day falls on May 12 which coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the lady who founded nursing.