Three more days to Christmas and the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) has been handling quite a number of cases at its Emergency ward.
PMGH Chief Executive officer Dr. Paki Molumi said the hospital sees almost six-to-seven hundred (600-700) patients a day and most of these are trauma cases.
“More than 50% of trauma cases are alcohol & fight related cases that results to people getting knife wounds and ending up at the hospital.”
He further extended an appeal to the general public to keep safe and celebrate responsibly this festive season.
“City residents are urged to take care of themselves because they only have 6 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds at this time.”
Dr. Molumi added people may complain about the emergency ward been overcrowded and not having enough beds for its patients but that is because the hospital serves people from all parts of Central, Gulf and NCD.
“People from all parts of the 3 areas end up at PMGH because there is no level-5 hospital for Central province, no other hospital in NCD or district hospitals in the 3 electorate to serve the people of NCD and Gerehu is a level 4 District Hospital.”
What’s more is on average 14-15 thousand babies are delivered per year and that’s up to 45-50 babies per day at PHGM because that is the only public labor ward health facility for mother’s to go to and deliver their babies.
“With a lot of trauma cases reported, there is not enough beds to take care of people who need intensive care.”
He said this following their reports of a good number of knife wound cases seen at the emergency department.
“We are urging the public that PMHG is stressed to the limit and appeal to everyone to enjoy the festive period peacefully sto help the hospital out by managing the load with a less number of patients this festive period.
Although they are operating on limited medical resources, Dr.Molumi has reassured the people of Port Moresby that PMGH is well prepared for the festive season that’s days away.