Claims of patients being turned away by Port Moresby General Hospital has come as a surprise to the management and staff. Chief executive officer Dr. Paki Molumi said the hospital learnt of the issue when it was raised on the floor of parliament this week by Member for Abau Hon. Sir Puka Temu. “We were surprised to hear that PMGH has turned away Central Province patients who are seeking treatment for COVID at Port Moresby General Hospital,” says Dr. Molumi. He said after learning of the issue, he immediately contacted the CEO of Central PHA Dr. James Amini to seek assistance from PMGH. Dr. Molumi added that an investigation has been initiated to find out whether any security personnel or staff member has rejected any patients seeking treatment at Port Moresby General Hospital. “We should not refuse anyone at all for that matter. If someone has been rejected, you can call Port Moresby General Hospital on 324 8100 so that we can know who has been rejected and we can assist where necessary,” Dr. Molumi said. Dr. Molumi said moving forward, a COVID Clinical Management Working Committee consisting of Port Moresby General Hospital, NCDPHA, St. John’s Ambulance, Central PHA, Gulf PHA and also the private hospitals has been established and this will be headed by Dr. Michael Dokup, chair of the PMGH Clinical Governance Committee. “This Committee is set up so that we can work together in our fight against COVID-19 by sharing all the resources available to assist one another so that all patients coming in for treatment are not rejected at any of the hospitals including the private clinics,” Dr. Molumi asserted.