Testing and monitoring for Covid-19 is still ongoing for Western Province for the past two weeks now.
According to Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) CEO Dr. Niko Wuatai, they have sent two teams from their Daru and Kuinga Hospital to carry out Covid-19 testing.
Around the Mauridui area, they tested 5 people last week and results were negative along with tests conducted around the Mabruan area.
The Western PHA have integrated a team with YWAM that are currently on the ground carrying out Covid-19 vaccination and the normal routine immunization vaccination for the province.
Dr. Wuatai said, “They started 2 weeks ago around the Sigabaduru area were they managed to give the booster shots to many of the villagers there as well as the routine immunization for children.”
Drug supply throughout the country continues to be a problem for PHA’s however, Western PHA will continue its distribution of drugs around the province to make sure all have supplies.
“The YWAM crew has already delivered medical drugs to Daru General Hospital and the Upiara area. More drugs will be delivered throughout this week to Morehead area and several areas of South Fly and Kuinga,” Dr Wuatai said.
He added that, because of the shortage of drugs, they spend around K90, 000 to procure drugs for their theater patients alone.
“We also spend around a hundred and thirty thousand kina just for drugs that are not available at the Badili Area Medical Store where we get our drug supplies from,” Dr Wuatai added.
Meanwhile, the election period is always a challenge for hospitals in PNG as there are always continuous problems faced with the on-going shortage of drug supplies.
Dr. Wuatai said, “it’s always a challenge to make sure that our facilities are well equipped and stocked up during this period in case of any accidents related to violence.
“We will try our best to prepare for this up-coming National General Elections,” said Dr. Wuatai.
He also urged the people of Western Province to take extra care as it is challenging for them to procure drugs and other vital medical supplies like blood during this time and during the up-coming National General Elections.