O’Neill alarmed over ailing system

FORMER prime minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has expressed concern that the country’s public health system is collapsing.
O’Neill said the closure or scaling down of vital health services by many hospitals around the country was unacceptable when it was facing a Covid-19 emergency.
“The Covid-19 funds has been mismanaged from day one with the initial lockdown,” he said.
“Fund distribution in the past 12 months was not tangible because now, when money and action are needed, the Government has gone to the ground.
“The health sector could not contain the virus because health workers were left to bear the brunt of community frustration over insufficient testing being carried out and lack of basic medical equipment and medicines.
“Hospital beds are full, intensive care units and morgues are full.
“This is a medical emergency.
“Those who think that the virus is only affecting other countries only must stop now and acknowledged that the social and economic devastation are underway.”
O’Neill questioned the Government on where the money borrowed to fight the Covid-19 went.
He claimed that hospitals received very little from the funds.
O’Neill thanked the Australian government for sending a medical team to assist PNG.
He urged Australia and other partners to assist with medical teams and equipment on the ground to manage the outbreak.