Health Department to deliver personal protective equipment to provinces

The National Department of Health through the COVID-19 Emergency Response Project funded by the World Bank Health Portfolio Projects has 40 containers packed with Personal Protective Equipment [PPEs] for 20 Provincial Health Authorities. 

The Gulf PHA, National Capital District PHA and Central PHA have already received their supplies. 

PPEs for distribution to the remaining PHAs include hand sanitizers, face mask, gowns, aprons, sterile surgical and disposable hand gloves, oxygen masks, oxygen tubes among other items including medical laboratory commodities. 

All PHAs will receive two 20ft containers of PPEs. 

Supplies for Milne Bay PHA has been shipped out and should arrive in Alotau on Saturday.

PHAs listed to receive their PPE supplies by shipment include Oro, Milne Bay, Western [Kiunga & Daru], Morobe, Madang, East Sepik, West Sepik, Manus, New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain, ARoB, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands, Hela, Jiwaka and Simbu. 

Central PHA Infection Protection and Control Officer Ruben Aihi when receiving the PPEs on behalf of the CEO thanked the World Bank, the NDoH and the COVID-19 ERP for supplying the PPEs.

“The supply of these PPEs is timely as we have run very short and often at times find other means to support and to care for our sick people in our hospitals and clinics,” said Mr. Aihi.

According to shipping schedule, containers for Western PHA has already arrived in Daru while for Milne Bay PHA, it will arrive on the 14th of December 2024 and New Ireland PHA will arrive at Kavieng wharf on the 16th December, 2024. 

It is anticipated that by January end 2025, all PHAs will have received their PPE and laboratory commodity supplies.