Premier hospital lacks proper facilities, manpower

 I HAD the unfortunate privilege of spending a week in Lae’ Angau Memorial Hospital.

You don’t have to be in the medical profession to see that Angau’s emergency ward lacks adequate staff and appropriate facilities to cater for the patients. 

Patients have no option but will have to wait for 12 to 24 hours to get diagnosed and receive treatment. 

And this is supposed to be one of Papua New Guinea’s premier hospitals.

Only life threatening injuries like gunshot wounds are directed in for immediate attention while other cases are told wait in line.

Irrespective of the condition, you just buckle up and wait. 

Sorry, no bed space just as yet so use the cement floor and hope it does not rain. 

You get a run through diagnoses, a drip or an injection if needed and a long wait for the right doctor to show up. 

This sorry state of affairs is beyond the dedicated Angau Memorial staff that dig in day in day out to help and assist beyond the call of duty. 

They are both understaffed and under resourced to do their duties diligently. 

While the Health Minister shouts out that Papua New Guinea will archive its 2050 Vision goal to media headlines in international conferences, our people are dying for lack of appropriate facilities and insufficient manpower.

I woner what the hype is all about free healthcare when patients have to wait for a long time to get medical attention. 

While our MPs donate to women’s groups, churches and social one off activities, they forget that these very same people need health care and medical facilities more than new trucks and women’s groups. 

All nine MPs must support Angau hospital in improving its facilities and employing more staff. 

I commend the dedicated staff of Angau because your actions are beyond the call of duty. 

Gilinde Kitoria 

Lae