Addressing the Common Good - COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea
COVID - 19 Challenges to Papua New Guinea – An independent Analysis the PNG Way
Since the virus continues to challenge mankind in many ways it is important that we make a critical analysis of what can be done with what we already have in Papua New Guinea (PNG)
The COVID-19 pandemic in PNG has raised more questions than answers. Given the limited capacity, PNG has not been able to collect surveillance information accurately.
Papua New Guinea is low tech and has weak health systems. By strengthening health systems, there will be opportunities to apply basic science and develop cost effective strategies that can reduce all causes of morbidity and mortality.
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The statement by our last Treasurer Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey stating that, “PNG is face with two Wars, the Health War and the Economic War”. One can also add a third war: the war of confusion and mental stress cause by miss information on social media affecting effective public health compliance messages.?All these three wars must be fought if we are to create and effective and lasting sustainable response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
PNG has the one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination and testing coverage in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, it has weak and fragile health system demonstrated by some of the worst health indicators in the Asia Pacific region. There is also a serious lack of evidence on COVID-19 and all other causes of mortality and mortality in the country. Internationally, there is significant confusion among scientist regarding vaccinated individuals and newly introduces variances of the virus (i.e. Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 cannot be neutralised by prior infection). Given the constant changes in the variances of the virus, strategies must be developed based on how the pandemic has affected the country. ???
In addressing the three Wars, PNG must look for costs effective means of reducing morbidity and mortality to the pandemic by such interventions as nutrition, acknowledging that not much had been said about nutrition and other already known human response to viral infections. These include Vitamin C and Vitamin D; Vitamin C is plentiful in fruits and Vitamin D is acquired from direct sunlight. By carrying out a proper economic audit of the spending on COVID-19 in the past few years would also provide the evidence for developing and implementing const effective interventions for the country. Lastly, ensure that prevention and stopping misinformation and the provision of accurate information on all public health matters to the general public would be critical. ??
Retired Papua New Guinea Public Servant at The GreenLaip Foundation
2 年Your thoughts are relevant as COVID-19 has brought with it numerous other challenges that others might not be familiar with so, the issue you raise regarding magic and other beliefs such as witchcraft are realities in PNG. This is why I had highlighted the PNG way. If we are not concious of such practices and have such factors incorporated into our mindsets then, we will miss the boat in articulating what is practiced in PNG.
QMS/Risk/Compliance/Project Management Enthusiast
2 年Thank you Doctor for this article. My feedback might not sound relevant to the intended purpose of your article . Just to add on to the other challenges based on general observations. In support of paragraph 2 and the last sentence. The low tech and weak health systems have resulted in increased mortality rate. The missed conception when there is a death in a family or community the mourners quickly conclude that ?the death is related to sorcery. The false believe and missed information also contribution to law and order and other social issues. The vulnerable victim is accused of sorcery and are traumatized by the accuser who resort to violence to get justice to their emotional feeling. Hope this challenges is identified and appropriately addressed by the key stakeholders.