POM GEN EMERGENCY DEPT OVERCROWDED

By VONU LIBITINO

PORT MORESBY General Hospital’s (POMGEN) Emergency Department (ED) is constantly overwhelmed, as it is the only ED in the city and is providing service to over 1 million people from within the city and the surrounding provinces.

This from the POMGEN Chief Executive Office (CEO) Dr Paki Molumi, in response to a viral video showing patients lying on the hospital’s floors.

Dr Molumi said this situation was made worse by the fact that Port Moresby’s population has increased significantly.

“This is a reflection of the increasing demand of emergency services and a demand for health care to the growing population.

Under the National Health Plan, each district should have a level 4 hospital.

Right now, Moresby North-East does not have a district hospital. Moresby South does not have a district hospital. And Central Province does not have a hospital and ED.

So, everybody ends up at the POMGEN ED,” Dr Molumi explained.

Dr Molumi explained that they deploy the triage system in the POMGEN ED, where patients presenting, are sorted into categories, with category 1, being the most severe case needing immediate and critical emergency health care services, followed by category 2 and 3.

“80% of those presenting to the POMGEN are category 3 and some category 2 and these cases should be seen in NCDPHA and CPHA ED.

These facilities do not exist so everybody comes to POMGEN ED and that is why there is overcrowding,” Dr Molumi explained.

The Head of POMGEN also revealed that there has been an increase in trauma cases, presenting to the ED.

“These are primarily knife wounds, cuts, and injuries from fights, mostly related to alcohol and these cases overcrowd the ED,” Dr Molumi explained.

As a temporary measure, the POMGEN will be setting up an emergency trauma center at the Gate 1 Carpark.

“We want to separate the trauma cases, so we can free up space for those who are genuinely sick.

Dr Molumi said with the festive period now here, people should be practicing more caution with their personal health and safety.

“I want to encourage people in NCD and Central, to be responsible when celebrating Christmas and New Year.

Because you don’t want end up at the hospital, that is already overcrowded and your chances of being treated quickly are low and you start to complain that you are not getting the service you deserve,” Dr Molumi announced.

Picture Caption: Patient sleeping on the floor of the Emergency Department.

Port Moresby General Hospital CEO, Dr Paki Molumi.

Pictures Supplied.