Three main issues are currently being experienced at the Goroka Provincial Hospital amidst the increasing number of COVID19 patients being admitted to the hospital.
In an interview with PNGFM News, EHP Deputy Director Curative Health Mr Tony Basse says staff to patient ratio at the hospital is demanding at this time after more than 40 hospital workers were infected with the deadly disease.
This in turn has affected patient care at the hospital.
Mr Basse further says bed capacity has also run out as more and more people get admitted to the hospital on a daily basis, many coming in severely ill with shortness of breath.
This then demands the need for sufficient medical oxygen supply to cater for them.
“The hospital has lost two staff so far to COVID 19,” Mr Basse said.
“A team from Port Moresby has arrived earlier this week and is helping out and we are also doing recruitment for more medical personnel to come.”
“The provincial government has also assisted by organizing with the Goroka Sports Institute Director in providing the isolation facility at the stadium as the hospital has reached its’ capacity and can only care for the critically ill,” Mr Basse added.
On the other hand, Mr Basse says support from the stakeholders and community has been exceptionally good with the providence of extra oxygen supply and food for the hospital workers.
Mr Basse further added that there has also been an increase in the number of people coming to get vaccinated and it is very encouraging.
“We have done COVID 19 tests in outside districts in the province and there is no exception that there is a wider community transmission in the province.”
He says the only way to break this cycle is for the people to get vaccinated and keep on practicing the COVID 19 protocols in place.
Photo credits: RK Honwah