Trauma an increasing health problem in ESP

By GYNNIE KERO
TRAUMA is an increasing health problem in East Sepik, as most health centres are not functioning well, executive officer Dr Lawrence Warangi said from Wewak recently.
He said 75% of outpatient and 57% of surgical admissions were trauma; mainly alcohol-related and was a burden to the province’s main hospital.
“The Wewak Hospital has already spent K200,000 on drugs and medical supplies since January,” Warangi said.
“There is no budget and virtually no resource for these cases as a result the hospital is charging fees to address the problem of drug and medical supply shortages.
“Moreover, because most rural health centres are not functioning, trauma deaths occur even before the patient reaches the hospital and this needs serious consideration.
“Trauma is the leading cause of surgical death in the 15 to 44-year-old age group, the country’s most productive and economically important population sector.
“It is alcohol-related and its main causes are violence and accidents.
“The hospital is running low on drug, medical supplies and is purchasing from local chemists … and trauma is a burden.”
He said most deaths were unavoidable because of the severity of injury.