AUSTRALIA is to provide urgent coronavirus assistance for Papua New Guinea as medical professionals warn the virus is running rampant in the country.
The Federal Government has announced it will send 8,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the entire health workforce, medical support including masks, gowns, gloves, ventilators and sanitiser, and logistic support to get the jab to remote communities.
At the same time Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced all charter and passenger flights would be suspended between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
“We cannot risk people going into those areas and back to Australia,”
The Federal government will also contact AstraZeneca and European authorities, seeking access to one million doses of the vaccine already on order, with the aim of sending them to PNG.
Caritas Australia, that is supporting Church and NGO partners on the ground, said PNG is facing a potential catastrophe with an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases.
At least 2,269 cases have been reported since March 9, and almost 100 new cases confirmed daily.
And there are fears Papua New Guinea passengers could bring a new wave of COVID-19 to Queensland after a number of returning passengers tested positive.
In Queensland, 18 of the current 36 active cases originated in PNG.
Large-scale testing is very low across Papua New Guinea, with a limited number of facilities able to conduct regular screening and testing, leading to concerns that that the virus is spreading unchecked in communities.
“One of the challenges for Papua New Guinea is the cost of testing and treatment,” says Diane Unagi, Caritas Australia Country Representative for Papua New Guinea.
“The public hospitals are already overwhelmed and there are major delays in being tested and receiving results. A COVID-19 test in a private clinic, which most people prefer, can cost up to AUD $300, and even then they are often not available.”
“For a country where 85.7 per cent of the population is considered to be living in poverty, and 38 per cent live on less than US$1.90 a day, this means that getting a COVID-19 test is just not feasible for most people.”
Working with church and NGO partners in PNG, Caritas Australia is prioritising preventative health measures including community education and the distribution of protective personal equipment for health facilities and health workers.
Caritas Australia is accepting donations to help support vulnerable communities facing COVID-19 through the COVID-19 Appeal.
Visit caritas.org.au or call 1800 024 413 toll free to provide much needed support to some of our closest neighbours.
Caritas Australia is a member of one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks, with 162 agencies operating in 200 countries and territories.
