7 ARRESTED OVER DOCTOR’S DEATH, SIMBU PHA DEMANDS ACTION FROM PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES
POLICE in Simbu have arrested seven suspects over the death of Kundiawa doctor Dr Robert Waiye.
Simbu Provincial Police Commander, Detective Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang, says the suspects are in police custody, while investigations continue to identify and arrest others allegedly involved.
Dr Robert Waiye, 26 year old medical officer was serving at the Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial (SJNM) Kundiawa Provincial Hospital and was seriously assaulted at a Gateway Fuel Station premises in Kundiawa on the night of September 15, the eve of PNG’s 51st Independence.
Police allege Dr Waiye and fellow doctor Dr Ronald Conn had gone to the premises seeking transport back to the Kundiawa General Hospital.
A group of people allegedly assaulted a security guard before chasing the two doctors.
Dr Conn escaped, but Dr Waiye was allegedly caught and severely beaten.
Police say Dr Waiye and the security guard were later taken to the Kundiawa General Hospital with serious head and facial injuries, unfortunately Dr Waiye died at about 8:00am the next morning, however the security guard is still in the hospital recovering.
Police say formal charges will be laid against the suspects, including the security guard.
Meanwhile, the Simbu Provincial Health Authority (SiPHA) has issued a strong petition following the tragic death of Dr. Robert Waiye.
The petition was formally served to the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) with instructions to deliver it to all mandated leaders across the six districts of Simbu Province, including the Governor.
SiPHA demanded immediate action from provincial authorities, outlining three key points:
1. ๐๐๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ. ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ฒ: All perpetrators involved in the killing must be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, setting a precedent to protect health workers from future attacks.
2. ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐: Communities are urged to safeguard health staff in vulnerable situations, offering assistance rather than harm.
3. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐: All health facilities, staff residences, vehicles, and equipment must be protected. Any acts of theft, obstruction, or violence against SiPHA staff must be met with strict legal consequences.
SiPHA CEO Dr Ken Kassi emphasized the devastating impact of losing a medical doctor in a province ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ:๐ฐ๐ฌ,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ.
The death of Dr. Waiye not only deprives Simbu of a dedicated young professional but also threatens the stability of health service delivery if other doctors reconsider their safety and leave.
SiPHA condemned the killing โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐,โstressing that health and medical services are critical and non negotiable and must be protected both internally and externally.
