National Doctors Association condemns senseless killing of late Dr. Alphonse Rongap

Dr James Naipao

BY: JACOB MARCOS

 The National Doctors Association (NDA) has described the killing of Dr Alphonse Benjamin Rongap Senior on the evening of Saturday, June in Lae Morobe Province as barbaric and senseless.

National Doctors Association vice President and senior paediatrician Dr Rongap Senior who was based at Angau Hospital lost his life when he was shot at the back-end-road of Lae City.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Angau Memorial Hospital.

NDA President Dr James Naipao said the NDA has lost a dedicated great leader in the union movement and in health in Papua New Guinea.

“The NDA absolutely condemns loss of life through all forms of violence-a popular and senior doctor in the city of Lae lost his life through this barbaric act,” Dr Naipao grieved.

“In this time of grief and sorrow, our prayers and condolences go out to late Senior Rongap's family for the loss of a great person, doctor, union leader, teacher, mentor, husband, father and a dedicated children's doctor (Paediatrician),” he said.

The thug(s) involved in the avoidable and unwanted killing of a life that has contributed significantly well over 35 years to the health and various works in this country should not be left in silence, he said.

“All respective legal authorities and community in Lae must tirelessly work together to apprehend this/these useless and unwanted thug(s)/criminals,” Dr Naipao said.

“In protest and in respect for Late Dr Rongap Senior, the clinical services at Angau Hospital will scale down to cover emergency only,” he said.

Dr Naipao also said that the members of the association based in Angau Hospital will only provide emergency cover until this “anti-life preserving thug(s)/criminals/elements be apprehended and brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, health secretary Pascoe Kase also condemns the killing of a loving father and a specialist doctor who is much needed in the country.

“It is a great loss to the people of this nation especially our children who needed his attention,” Mr Kase said.

He called on authorities in the country to bring the culprits to justice.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Mr Kase grieved.