Thursday 15.01.15 GOOD SAMARITAN MEDIVAC PROGRAM FOR ESAALA The days of medical complications and out station nurses doing it solo is near an end if technology can help it and where theres an opportunity it must be grasped with both hands. Thats the take by Esaala MP Davis Steven when he traveled to Sehulea and later Salamo on a helicopter belonging to Manolos Aviation Limited engaged in the districts Medivac Program for Disaster and emergency response. At the occasion, over 300 CUG phones were distributed to all health workers, the same will go to the districts 88 ward members, 44 school institutions principals and key government officers for service delivery. Its under the districts integrated development strategy- 6 communication towers have gone up this term with two more to go and the phones are complimentary by partner Digicel PNG Ltd, the bill to be met by the district. Steven says theyre in a rush to get Esaala technology savvy to tap into information in this day and age. Aside from this, a tablet was handed to each health centre with Esaala ready to trial the countrys very first e-medicine system under their agreement with the Pacific International Hospital. PIH has been operating in the district but under a new contract for this year, they will be more involved in conducting clinics throughout the district and provide training for health workers in Esaala. The tablets will enable video conferencing for on the ground major procedures with specialists in PIH Port Moresby while the CUG phones can enable immediate response after screening cases for helicopter evacuation or Medivac. Manolos CO captain Jurgen Ruh reveals they strife to keep evacuations under an hour to emergency help, adding his company has been doing the same in Morobe Province and a few others and know all too well this crucial need for many remote areas. The Districts first payment is due in February to Manolos Aviation but theyve agreed to begin the program this month while thats being sorted. In Salamo yesterday, they did a mock drill on how this emergency response will work to much glee and excitement by the people. Many of those we spoke with expressed that this service and a few others in recent years had made them feel a belonging as opposed to the days before. PIR Bishop Leidimo Edoni who blessed and launched the Medivac Program called it the Good Samaritan Medivac Program for Esaala in front of a good crowd. Asked how this would be sustained, Minister Steven says itll cost the district at least K1million a year and again says it was an opportunity not to be missed by the island electorate of Esaala, adding engaging a fixed wing airline would not do at all for them. They will be paying for at least 60 hours flying time from Manolos each year for this program and trust the province will support or take over for the rest of Milne Bay in the near future.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 03:10:00 +0000
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