The country has a new deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response and he is Dr Daoni Panuel Esorom
The National Executive Council on the 19th April appointed Dr. Daoni to the position.
The vacancy in the position existed following the passing away of late Dr. Paison Dakulala who was then the Deputy Controller.
Dr. Daoni’s appointment is timely as he is duty bound to support Controller David Manning in his efforts to contain the rise in the COVID-19 cases.
Until his recent appointment, Dr. Daoni was the PNG National COVID-19 Incident Manager at the National Coordination Centre and Executive Manager – Public Health Division in the National Health Department.
Dr Daoni brings with him a wealth of experience with 23 years in medical, public health, Emergency Medicine, Business and Management with extensive experiences in both project and program management both in the Public and Private sectors.
He holds a Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Public Health, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, post graduate diploma in Anesthesia and post graduate diploma in the leadership and management of STI/HIV/AIDS among other credentials and affiliates to professionals groupings and bodies.
Following his appointment, Dr. Daoni thanked Prime Minister James Marape and NEC, Health Minister Jelta Wong and the Controller of the National Pandemic Response David Manning for having confidence in him.
With this elevation to the new position, Dr Daoni is very well aware of the challenges and the new look responsibilities in the ongoing work to contain the COVID-19.
“The challenge for us now is to identify efficient, experienced and skilled manpower under the new structure recently approved by the Controller who can come in to help us with the ongoing work to contain COVID-19,” said Dr. Daoni.
In his response to the country’s approach in the battle against COVID-19, Dr. Daoni said “ At the moment we should be winning the war against the virus but our attention is divided because we are fighting unnecessary battles that is impeding the war against COVID-19. We have a lot of people who are spreading myths and misinformation about COVID-19 which is part of the battle that is taking away our attention. We all should be focused on battling to contain COVID-19,” said Dr. Daoni.
“Our health system is classified as fragile and we need to make sure we use the response in the COVID-19 to strengthen our health system and all the systems of government from the national level to the provincial, districts and communities,” said the Deputy Controller.
Dr. Daoni is optimistic that with the support of the citizens in complying to measures under Niupla Pasin or New Normal, PNG will eventually contain the virus.
He called on citizens not to lose focus but continue to comply to measures in the New Normal or Niupla Pasin.
“The critical message here is that we’ve got a policy, Niupla Pasin or New Normal which is nothing new than all the public health interventions that are proven to be effective. So, if we adhere to wearing masks, hand sanitizing, physical distancing and use COVID-19 response to educate our people, we can contain this virus,” At the same time we need to focus on the provincial and community responses, said Dr. Daoni.
Picture From: asiapacificreport.nz