Services at Mendi hospital restored

By PETER WARI
SERVICES at Mendi General Hospital in Southern Highlands have been fully restored after being scaled down last week due to violence.
The hospital was now in full operation, said Southern Highlands provincial health authority director curative health services Dr Martin Sa’avu.
He said the scaling down of services was put in place as most staff, including doctors, feared for their lives and did not want to work.
Provincial health authority chief executive Dr Joseph Birisi could not be reached for comment.
“All stable patients were asked to be discharged by their doctors, and very sick ones referred to Mt Hagen General Hospital,” Sa’avu said.
“Skeleton staff were put in place in emergency department, intensive care unit, labour ward and sections of each ward in case of emergencies.”
Sa’avu said the hospital had been assured by the Defence Force that security would be provided to the hospital on a daily basis.
He said the medical officers could leave if they felt threatened.
“The situation on the ground is unpredictable and not promising, and assurance (of safety) cannot be guaranteed,” Sa’avu said.
“Officers were given the option that if they felt under threat, the door was open for them to leave.
“No repercussions will be enforced upon the officers with regards to their contractual agreements.
“As management, our role is to ensure you (doctors) and your families are safe and you work within a peaceful environment.”