Staff trained to conduct tests: Official

By JINA AMBA
STAFF from clinics and health centres in Western Highlands have been trained and will be ready to do tests for the Covid-19, an official says.
Western Highlands health authority acting chief executive officer Jane Holden said they would be providing the Covid-19 testing at Kotna, Tinsley, Togoba, Tambul and Parbrabuk health centres.
She said they had trained the staff this week and would open more testing sites at urban clinics from Monday.
“We have had 400 positive cases to date from both PCR and rapid test results,” she said.
“At least half (of them) are currently active.
“We got results today from Singapore – 68 positive- although the tests were done 16 to 20 days ago.
“These numbers are included in the 400,” Holden told The National by email.
She said the Mt Hagen Hospital had recorded seven deaths from the Covid-19.
“We have expanded the Covid-19 beds for predicted increase in the number of women in labour,” she said.
Holden said they received some funds for last month but still lacks a sustainable funding path, meaning every month they run out of money which threatened to cease services.
“It is not sustainable and detracts the hospital from doing the job of serving the public because the it is trying to find money,” Holden said.
“There must be a commitment by the Government to the annual appropriation that we get say on the 20th each month then we can manage cash flow and budget effectively.”