PNG to build new isolation wards

Papua New Guinea will build  new isolation wards to quarantine diseases such as  Cholera, Measles and Ebola.  The current  Port Moresby General Hospital isolation wards for cholera & measles are not up to World Health Organizational standard requirements for a disease of the Ebola magnitude.”

This was from the NDOH Executive Manager Public Health Dr Sibauk Bieb at an emergency response meet recently.

It is understood these pre-existing wards were being considered to be the Ebola quarantine wards along with the Tarauma military hospital but this will not be possible now.

Dr Bieb added that a viral disease such as Ebola would need more confined and secure locations.

Thus it is now the responsibility of the newly appointed Ebola taskforce team to agree on and secure a location for the new isolation wards to be built.

Dr Bieb further stated that according to WHO standard, the quarantine ward should be at bio-hazard level 4 specification standard but the wards at Port Moresby General Hospital are not up to requirements.

“A disease as serious as Ebola demands a secure quarantine area for monitoring and surveillance of those suspected and we cannot have them in nearby quarters with other patients.”

“Our only option now is to build a new ward but we first need to seek approval and assistance from the NCD Governor Powes Parkop for this building.”

Meanwhile, the formerly allocated K500, 000 for the Ebola response has now been decreased to K300, 000 only.