Fijivillage
18 February, 2026, 4:57 am
Central - 24°C Clouds
18 February, 2026, 4:57 am Central - 24°C Clouds

PNG health workers warn coronavirus crisis will get worse before it gets better

PNG health workers warn coronavirus crisis will get worse before it gets better

By Semi Turaga
26/03/2021
[Image: file photo]

Although Australia has delivered 8,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Papua New Guinea this week, the hard work has only just begun.

The vaccines are enough to immunise the country's frontline health workers, who are bearing the brunt of the pandemic.

Port Moresby General Hospital Emergency Doctor Mangu Kendino told ABC News in a hospital just exceeding 1,500 staff, nearly 10 percent of them have been infected with COVID-19.

Doctor Kendino says there are still many patients who are COVID-positive and aren't being accommodated and isolated at the hospital.

The PNG government this week announced domestic travel restrictions, but not a full COVID-19 lockdown.

PNG health authorities' efforts have also been hampered by a lack of testing kits and delays in getting results back.

It can take up to 10 days.

The World Health Organization recently approved the use of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests which can reduce the waiting time to about 15 minutes.

[Source: abc.net.au]

FEATURE NEWS
Pinehills Airstrip in Nadi not operational - Gavoka
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka has issued a clarification regarding the privately owned Skyward Pinehills airstrip near Nadi, ...
12 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
University of Fiji and Jack’s Retail partner to launch new scholarship programme
The University of Fiji has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jack’s Retail Pte Ltd to establish a scholarship programme aimed at expanding ...
10 hours ago

Long-time Lami resident calls for unity to tackle growing drug crisis
A long-time Lami resident is calling for stronger collaboration between government, faith-based organisations and community groups to address what ...
11 hours ago

Prison is there to set people straight if found with drugs - Nabouwalu resident
Amelia Dio says if someone is caught with drugs, prison is there to set them straight.Dio shared her views during the consultation on the proposed ...
12 hours ago

FNU honours choir for service through music
About 40 students in the Fiji National University Choir based at the Natabua Campus have been formally recognised for their contribution to campus ...
12 hours ago

Lateef to take plea on meth possession charge on Feb 25th
Former Suva lawyer Shazran Abdul Lateef will take his plea on the 25th of this month where he was allegedly found with methamphetamine last year. He ...
12 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
12 days ago

Malimali and others filed for judicial review into COI
The application for leave for the judicial review has been made by former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung ...
12 days ago

Malimali’s legal battle against President, PM and AG
Another legal battle starts today as sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali takes her matter to court against the President, Prime Minister and ...
13 days ago

TOP