The PNG emergency ambulance service attended to 50 incidents in the 12 hours from 6pm and 6am on New Year’s Day.
39 of these were in NCD and 11 in regional stations.
The ambulance service had 14 ambulances and response vehicles on duty during the NYE celebrations included six ambulances and four rapid response vehicles in NCD; two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle in Lae; one ambulance and one rapid response vehicle in Kokopo.
38 ambulance team members were involved in the operation including 30 ambulance staff in NCD, five in Lae and three in Kokopo, with additional on standby in case of significant emergency.
The ambulance crews in NCD encountered challenges accessing patients in some incidents.
That’s from St John Ambulance PNG Commissioner/ CEO Matt Cannon.
In one case ambulance crews were obstructed from attending to a male in a critical condition after falling down a drain.
The ambulance crews were unable to approach the scene because youths from the area had blocked the road and were brandishing bush knives in a threatening manner.
“There were a number of instances where drunk youths were throwing rocks at vehicles which meant responding to emergency incidents difficult for our crews.”
“We had to stand down or delay responding to some cases because it was too dangerous.”
Commissioner Cannon added that, “This is never a situation we want to be in, and as commissioner it is one of the most difficult decisions we make to delay responding to someone we know is in great need because it is too dangerous for our crews to respond to them.”
“It pains us all because we know these casualties need our help.” These types of situation are all too common problems that make it difficult and post great personal risks for our brave ambulance workers trying to help people in urgent and critical need.
Trauma accounted for many of the calls for help on NYE.
The ambulance crews attended more shootings and stabbings than in a typical day.
Other emergencies responded to included respiratory and obstetric emergencies.
We thank the NCDC, Lae City Authority and ENB Provincial Government for giving great support to the ambulance service in 2022.
The CEO of St Johns Ambulance further stated he thanked the public who welcomed in the new year safely and respectfully.