Stop false info, says CEO

THE management of Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) is calling on the public to stop spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 and the vaccine on social media.
Chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said on Thursday that misinformation on social media had affected the staff as well, but the vaccination advocacy programme at the hospital was helping staff understand the need and importance of vaccination.
“The most important thing is if the health workforce stands against the vaccination then we will not be able to convince the public that the vaccine is safe,” he said.
“The health workforce and health leaders should stand up and take the message to the public that vaccination will reduce the severity of the disease.
“If we don’t and people don’t take the vaccine and more people come to the hospital, then our health system is bound to collapse.
“PMGH is taking the lead in vaccination and the health workforce and people should be ready to do the same as well.”
Dr Molumi said the hospital had a strict policy for people posting on social media and some staff had already been charged and were facing disciplinary action.
Acting medical service director Dr Noah Tapaua said the hospital was full of the Covid-19 patients and it was affecting the staff.
“In PNG, we have very limited number of medical officers, nurses and we cannot go on like this,” he said.
“We have to do something to look after our staff.
“The vaccine is just like any other vaccines (for polio, measles), you will have side effects.
“The side effects are minor, but it will protect you in the long run.”
Dr Tapaua said the advocacy would continue to get more staff, not only the medical but the support staff including, the cleaners and security guards, “because this is the team that makes up the hospital run and it’s the team that put an effort to look after one patient”.
He said the aim was to get all the staff vaccinated and protect themselves so that they could look after the patients.