Reward frontline health workers

I COMMEND the frontline workers of Mt Hagen General Hospital in Western Highlands for their work during this time.
The nurses, doctors, drivers, security guards, cleaners, administration staff, cooks, mortuary staff and other staff are working tirelessly working day and night to combat the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
They deserve a pat on the back to be recognised and rewarded for their efforts.
They put the extra effort and time into caring for patients even when they are highly exposed to the virus.
These frontline workers have families commitments, accommodation and transport issues and patients to deal with on a daily basis.
They are not work horses.
These workers lack proper personal protection equipment and are handling cases beyond their capacity .
Yet, they strive to contain the situation.
Mt Hagen is the third largest city and strategically located in the heart of the Highlands region.
The hospital is dealing with an influx of patients from all over the province and other Highlands provinces.
The frontline workers do not shy away, they take each and every case head on.
They have managed to effectively deal with cases.
This is one reason why most of them have contracted Covid-19.
Upon recovery, they continue on and some get infected again for the second and third time.
What do you do to such resilient workers?
Do we turn a blind eye and let them keep working until they collapse?
We do not see bodies piling at the hospital mortuary unlike other hospitals in the country because the hospital staff are ensuring that this does not happen. I hope the management of the hospital and the Western Highlands health authority are keeping track of infected staff and reward for their hard work so they continue the good work.
Staff who are infected do not have a separate ward and special care. They are either told to self-isolate at home without special allowances and people to take care of them.
They recover on their own with probably God’s grace and are expected to return to work and continue working.
This is a serious ethical issue that needs to be addressed.
I understand that the Government has fairly given funds to all provincial health authorities and some hospitals and Mt Hagen General Hospital is no exception.

Concerned Patient