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Goroka COVID Assistance - Masks & Medical PPE
Donation protected
Hello world,
Papua New Guinea, Australia's closest neighbour, is currently facing a the worst wave of COVID they have seen since the beginning of this pandemic.
With a doctor to patient ratio of less than 1 doctor per 10,000 people (Australia's ratio is 35:10,000) and only 5 nurses per 10,000 people (Australia 1 nurse per 4 people), the health system is being crippled by the huge surge of COVID19 cases. Frontline workers are overworked and exhausted, and hospitals are still under-resourced.
The latest available breakdown of data shows a surge in cases in PNG, rising from 255 cases a week in August to 600 cases a week in September. The good news is that vaccination rates and vaccination coverage is increasing slowly.
Goroka is located in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Over the past few weeks their hospital has been overwhelmed and the only funeral home in the town had to close.
I spoke to Dr Nancy Hamura, O&G Specialist at Goroka Provincial Hospital, and asked her about their main problems (apart from oxygen) and how we can help. She said the biggest problem right now is bed space. Currently, they are working on relocating their patients because there are not enough beds. Most patients are forced to treat themselves at home, and even have to purchase their own medication from the pharmacies because the hospital cannot provide any more.
To assist with minimising the spread of the virus in the community, and to provide some relief for the families and frontline workers in Goroka, we are asking for monetary donations to be able to send masks, medical PPE and other medical supplies including beds to be distributed in their hospital and other districts.
Any donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated.
Papua New Guinea, Australia's closest neighbour, is currently facing a the worst wave of COVID they have seen since the beginning of this pandemic.
With a doctor to patient ratio of less than 1 doctor per 10,000 people (Australia's ratio is 35:10,000) and only 5 nurses per 10,000 people (Australia 1 nurse per 4 people), the health system is being crippled by the huge surge of COVID19 cases. Frontline workers are overworked and exhausted, and hospitals are still under-resourced.
The latest available breakdown of data shows a surge in cases in PNG, rising from 255 cases a week in August to 600 cases a week in September. The good news is that vaccination rates and vaccination coverage is increasing slowly.
Goroka is located in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Over the past few weeks their hospital has been overwhelmed and the only funeral home in the town had to close.
I spoke to Dr Nancy Hamura, O&G Specialist at Goroka Provincial Hospital, and asked her about their main problems (apart from oxygen) and how we can help. She said the biggest problem right now is bed space. Currently, they are working on relocating their patients because there are not enough beds. Most patients are forced to treat themselves at home, and even have to purchase their own medication from the pharmacies because the hospital cannot provide any more.
To assist with minimising the spread of the virus in the community, and to provide some relief for the families and frontline workers in Goroka, we are asking for monetary donations to be able to send masks, medical PPE and other medical supplies including beds to be distributed in their hospital and other districts.
Any donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Margaret Vangana, Breann Lalao & Our Melanesia Community
Fundraising team: Our Melanesia (2)
Palamaopa Vangana
Organizer
Asquith, NSW
Breeann Lalao
Team member