MT HAGEN HOSPITAL HIT BY BED SHORTAGES AS FLU CASES INCREASE

BY RAYLEEN WANJIMAN

HOSPITAL in Western Highlands Province need additional funded beds to cope with a surge in flu-related admissions, particularly among children.

Acting Provincial Health Authority Acting CEO Jane Holden says the hospital has 245 funded beds but is currently caring for more than 300 patients, forcing the PHA to open an additional 55 beds to meet demand.

Holden says the increase in flu cases is adding to the normal pressure from accidents and injuries, putting significant strain on bed capacity.

She says the PHA has opened extra ward spaces, deployed older beds and brought in short-term staff to manage the situation, noting that the challenge is not just having beds, but having funding for each bed to support staff and services.

Jane Holden says medicine supplies remain adequate, but patient demand is currently very high.