POMGEN POWER FLUCTUATIONS PUTS PATIENT SAFETY AT RISK
UNSTABLE power supply in Nations Capital has caused serious damage to critical medical equipment at Port Moresby General Hospital and raising concerns over patient safety.
Hospital management says ongoing power fluctuations have damaged three out of four sterilisation machines used to disinfect surgical instruments leaving only one machine available to serve all patients.
PMGH Chief Executive Officer Dr Paki Molumi says the hospital is now exploring solar energy as a sustainable alternative, stressing that PMGH can no longer rely solely on unstable grid power to protect equipment and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
PMGH now calls on relevant authorities and stakeholders to urgently address this issue and support long-term energy solutions to ensure the continued safety of patients, staff and essential medical services
PMGH Acting Facilities Manager Michael Aris says the hospital experienced up to ten power blackouts in a single day on Tuesday, January 13 severely disrupting operations. He says that the damaged machines are worth millions of kina and are vital in preventing infections during medical procedures.
Aris is calling on PNG Power to urgently assess and resolve the ongoing electricity fluctuations, warning that unreliable power supply puts patients and hospital services at significant risk.
