PNG Police Chief Manning commends leaders for passage of new bill

A TOTAL of 10 container health clinics have been commissioned and will be on their way to provinces soon.

The commissioning took place in the premises of the builders of this portable clinics outside Port Moresby this morning officiated by the Australian High Commissioner to PNG Jon Philip.

Present at the event were Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong and Acting Health Secretary and Deputy Emergency Controller Dr Paison Dakulala.

Dr Dakulala said in the media briefs that he has been giving for 80 or so days, there has been a call from the leaders for the response to be stepped up to deliver the services and in the COVID-19 worst case scenario.

“I’d like to say this commissioning marks what I call a prophetic action to lead into the future,’’ said Dr Dakulala.

He thanked the Australian Government and its people for the help, saying, “You have always been with us right from the beginning.’’

Dr Dakulala said the portable clinics will be going to the border areas and provinces where PNG’s eight COVID-19 cases had been confirmed but they will also be catering for all other diseases and health challenges such as malaria and maternal and child health.

Minister Wong said the commissioning was a partnership between PNG and Australia. He said the partnership goes back generations.

“A country goes through stages. Without the help of our partners, we would not achieve what we want,’’ he said.

Mr Philip said Australia is pleased to continue to support PNG’s comprehensive response to COVID-19.

“Provinces are at the forefront of efforts to prevent and manage COVID-19, and strengthen the quality and coverage of health services,’’ he said, adding that Australia has provided about K19 million in direct support to Provincial Health Authorities to assist them to prepare for COVID-19. The support includes the construction and delivery of these 10 portable health clinics.

“These facilities will be deployed across PNG to help provide additional space to support the delivery of critical health care services. Australia recognises the challenges of responding to pandemics in PNG, that is why we are supporting PNG health institutions and systems to respond to the crisis and prepare for the ‘new normal'.

“The support we are providing is assisting to implement the PNG Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Coronavirus including more than one million pieces of protective equipment for health workers supporting COVID-19 surveillance and testing, improving the ability of health facilities to triage, identify and treat suspected cases, and supporting NGOs to work with communities to improve hygiene and deliver water and sanitation projects,” High Commissioner Philip said.

(Photographs and captions below:)

Picture 1: Acting Health Secretary Dr Paison Dakulala, Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Hon. Jelta Wong and Australian High Commissioner Jon Philip give each other an elbow-shake at the commissioning of the 10 container health clinics.

Next : 

PNG Police Chief Manning commends leaders for passage of new bill