One of the most essential and vital services in the country during times of emergency, the St John Ambulance Services has once again been excluded from the 2022 National Budget plan. The St John Ambulance services have been very active and committed during the current COVID-19 pandemic, however they have been overlooked again in this budget lockup. Chief Executive Officer for St John Matt Cannon said they are in disbelief of the exclusion of reference to Ambulance services in the National Budget. “This decision not to provide a direct funding grant for the ambulance service will inhibit tens of thousands…
Author: Rolland BANABA
Head of the PNG Defense Force Commander Major General Gilbert Toropo reassured the public that despite the differences between the disciplinary forces since the weekend which spilled over this week, they stand firm to deliver a safe and free election come next year with security high on the agenda. Major General Toropo said there are only a few members of the two disciplinary forces that are acting out of line but the rest of the members are intact and set for the 2022 National General Elections. “We have worked together over the years for the Police and Defence. Police Commissioner…
The altercation between Police officers and members of the Defence Force this week has left many questioning the integrity and discipline of the two forces and whether or not members of the disciplinary forces adhere to command from the top. Social media had a part to play in the events that unfolded over the weekend and boiled over on Monday between the two Forces. Members from both sides’ resorted to social media in their own way, either to instigate or incite violence, provocation, threatening and challenging authority which goes against everything the PNG Defence Force and the Royal PNG Constabulary…
Five soldiers involved in yesterday’s altercation between the Police and Defence have been apprehended by the Military Police and they are currently detained at the Military Police cell at Murray Barracks. This was revealed today by PNG Defence Force commander Major General Gilbert Toropo in a joint press conference with the Police Commissioner David Manning. A very disappointed commander Toropo condemned the actions of the soldiers, while ordering an investigation into the incidents that started from the weekend and boiled over yesterday. “This action by few members of the PNG Defence Force to go out to the main road and…
All shops and business houses within the Boroko vicinity have closed up for the day following an altercation between the Police and the members of the PNG Defence Force this morning. The Situation has subsided, however Police are patrolling the Boroko area to make sure opportunists do not take advantage of the situation. A meeting was held between the Military Police and ACP NCD/Central Anthony Wagambie Junior at the Boroko Police station to address the incident. ACP Wagambie refused to speak to the media outside the police station however has said a statement will be released by the Police Commissioner…
They leave their families at home, go to work at the hospital, the epic centre of the current COVID-19 surge in the Eastern Highlands Province. Doctors and Nurses of the Goroka Hospital risk their lives every day since the surge started in early September, hoping they don’t take the virus back to their families. Some have managed to come this far without contracting the virus, but it was unfortunate for one doctor who tested positive to COVID-19 and passed it on to his mother and his 7-year-old son at home. Dr David Nangen, a surgeon at the hospital and his…
The Eastern Highlands Province will be going into lockdown as of tomorrow the 11th of October to the 26th of October. Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu and the Provincial COVID-19 Controller John Gimiseve made the announcement over the weekend following the COVID-19 surge in the province that has spread to all eight districts in the province killing many people. Mr Gimiseve said though the lockdown will start on Monday, it will be effective as of Wednesday with all eight districts restricted from coming into Goroka town except for essential services. “By Wednesday, there will be a total lockdown of intra…
At least 9 to 15 people die from COVID-19 on a daily basis at the Goroka Hospital as reported by the Sister in Charge of the isolation ward Sr Lynette Babah. The Eastern Highlands Province is going into an immediate lockdown as of Monday the 11th of October to the 28th October as bodies continue to pile up in two containers located outside the morgue for COVID-19 related deaths. CEO of the hospital Dr Joseph Apa announced this morning that the virus has also claimed the lives of three of his staff since the surge began. Health officers continue to…
The Eastern Highlands National Adventist Students Association have so far raised up to K58, 500 in their fundraising drive for the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority which will end tomorrow. These group of students came together with the idea to raise funds following the COVID-19 surge in the province that has really put a strain on hospital facilities. The Association has used some of the funds to purchase 100 oxygen cylinders already with other equipment that COVID-19 patients usually need. Team leader Hilton Tricker said they have realized that government organizations and others were not reacting quickly when the Goroka…
Friday 8th October It is after 5pm in the afternoon here at Goroka town and curfew has already started around this time. The busy crowd quickly deserted the town before 4pm to escape from the curfew but not the real issue which has gripped the province in weeks, killing many as it continues to spread. Back in the isolation wards at the Goroka Hospital, the crying, anguish, pain and agony echoes throughout the evening. The sun sets behind the isolation ward, an indication of another night in the ward fighting for their lives. A woman sits outside the isolation ward,…