Treat Covid seriously, MPs told

THE Coronavirus (Covid-19) is not a joking matter, nor should it be a subject of political debate, says National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.
He said the Covid-19 was real and should be treated seriously, as everyone was concerned about the increasing number of deaths, as is the case in Port Moresby.
“The number of haus krai in the city have increased and so are the request letters from the families of those who have died from the Covid-19, seeking financial assistance for funerals and burials,” he said.
“We are trying hard to educate our people on vaccination as even traditional methods are not enough to eradicate the virus.”
Parkop told MPs in Parliament during a debate on the pandemic that they should take seriously medical advice from local doctors.
“We have to take medical advice from (Abau MP) Dr Puka Temu and others like him who are veterans in the medical field, rather than being misinformed by fake news on social media,” he said.
Parkop stressed that the key was in the Covid-19 vaccination – the only way to boost one’s immune system against the virus.
He urged MPs to take responsibility and support measures put in place by the Government to address the pandemic.
Parkop said it was unfair to blame individuals such as Prime Minister James Marape or National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning for the situation the country was in as regards the Covid-19.
“They are not medical experts or scientists, but are trying their best (to find an effective response to the Covid-19) and should be commended for that,” he said.
Parkop said both men made decisions based on medical advice from local doctors such as Dr Paki Molumi and his deputy at the Port Moresby General Hospital, and the PNG Medical Research Institute.