News
MEDIA RELEASE
Date : Friday 6 November 2009
Subject : National Health Emergency Coordination Workshop to be held in Port Moresby
The National department Of Health is introducing a new management and coordination structure to help Provinces and the National Government respond to health emergencies. Provincial health staff have been invited to Port Moresby to attend a workshop on 17 November 2009 to help establish the new management and coordination structure in their provinces. The work shop is made possible with funding support from AUSAID and technical input from the World Health Organisation.
The cholera and dysentery epidemics that are affecting the Morobe, Madang and Eastern Highlands Provinces have provided the opportunity to develop effective emergency management structures that are suitable to Papua New Guinea. The National Disaster Committee has indicated that the National Department of Health will be the lead agency in responding to health emergencies in Papua New Guinea.
Provinces will be asked to nominate 5 coordinators in the areas of disease surveillance, communications, clinical management, public health and logistics to respond to health emergencies. This approach is being used in Lae and has proven successful in mobilising support and coordinating action to combat the outbreak of cholera in the province. Eastern Highlands Province has also had success with designated coordination roles to respond to the dysentery outbreak.
The National Department Of Health has established the National Health Emergency Taskforce to oversee the Government and International support to combat health emergencies. He task force has appointed working groups and expertise in disease surveillance, communications, clinical management, public health and logistics. The approach enables Provinces to link with national support to rapidly respond to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.
The National Department Of Health and Morobe, Madang, and Eastern Highlands Provinces are continuing their efforts to combat the cholera and dysentery epidemics in Papua New Guinea.
For further information, kindly contact: Dr Paison Dakulala, Acting secretary for health on phone number 323 6421.