New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan was the first in the New Ireland province to receive his Covid19 Vaccination this afternoon at the Kavieng Hospital grounds. Also joining him was his wife Lady Chan and Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut.
The Vaccine rollout ceremony also saw Provincial Health Authority board Chairman and Newcrest country manager Stanely Komunt, Acting CEO of PHA Dr Joachim Taulo, Director for Curative Care and Health Services, Dr Charles Penny, other frontline staff from the hospital and New Ireland Administration received the vaccination.
The aim is to get up to 20 percent of the population vaccinated during the first phase, which should cover front line workers, health workers, teachers, police, public servants and law enforcement officers.
The rollout of the Vaccine is made possible through the support of Newcrest Mining which has donated approximately AUD 2.5 million or K 8 million to UNICEF to support the rollout in the country.
“The demonstration of leadership by the New Ireland Government just strengthens the work that the PHA is doing, by being present and taking the vaccine this government is giving confidence to our health workers to rollout the vaccine,” said Mr Komunt.
Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut conveyed his gratitude to the frontliners and stressed on the responsibility of duty of care to the people of New Ireland. “Although we are now seeing signs of solution into this pandemic we must not become complacent. Go out there and talk to the people so that they are fully aware about the rollout and the pandemic that is affecting our World,” said Mr Pawut.
The people of New Ireland were encouraged to take Covid19 protocols seriously and adhere to social distancing regulations to minimize the spread of the virus.
“The response to COVID-19 is everybody’s business. It affects all of us, regardless of gender, social status, race or religion,” said Governor Sir Julius Chan.
The rollout continues tomorrow and onwards.
