47 UOG STUDENTS AMONG 51 CASUALTIES AT GOROKA HOSPITAL
BY VICKY BAUNKE
THE Goroka Provincial Specialist Hospital is currently responding to a mass causality incident following the violent clash at the University of Goroka students and locals of a nearby community yesterday.
A of 9:45pm last night a total of 51 casualties have been received at the GPSH emergency ward, including 47 students, 3 locals and one police officer.
Goroka Provincial Specialist Hospital Acting Hospital Manager Dr Shirley ToMangana confirmed with this newsroom as of 5:33 this morning that 4 were surgical admissions that includes one needing an emergency craniotomy (Head operation) and the patient remains stable under post-operative care. 1 ophthalmology (eye) admission, 3 under observation in the Emergency Department while 43 were discharged home with soft tissue injuries and No deaths recorded.
Dr ToManganasaid the hospital activated its Mass Casualty Protocol at 11:00 a.m yesterday, mobilizing more than 46 staff across medical, surgical, nursing, pathology, radiology, pharmacy, and security units and additional bed spaces were created in wards to accommodate patient flow.
Dr ToMangana said situation still remains tense, and the hospital continues to operate under MCI standby mode while maintaining normal services for non-incident patients.
She said security has been heightened around the Emergency Department in coordination with the local police.
“We sincerely acknowledge the dedication of all hospital staff, support from the Senior Executive Management Team, and the assistance from the Police, New Channel Inn, and community partners during this emergency response,” she said.
Dr ToMangana says further updates will be provided as the situation develops in this ongoing report.
No official police reports has been received of the incident as yet. However, additional police manpower has been called in from Simbu and the Nothern Mobile Group who have arrived since last night to assist the local police to boost manpower to contain the situation.
Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Cheif Superintendent John Kale has also spoken to factions of both sides and normalcy was restored along the National Highway around 3pm yesterday where the confrontation took place.
Minister for Higher Education Research Science and Technology and local Unggai Bena MP Kinoka Feo was on the ground yesterday night to talk with students and the staff.
However, talks on how to address the situation is now being made with the UOG management team with the assistance from Police and partners.
