Unnecessary trauma cases burden Milne Bay’s health system

A rise in trauma cases for Milne Bay has been described as an ‘unnecessary burden’ on the province’s healthcare system, at least for the Alotau Provincial Hospital.

The comments were by Acting Director Curative Health Services of the Milne Bay Health Authority, Dr Dale Frank, after revelations that the hospital was struggling to keep operations going while experiencing a shortage in medical drug supplies.

What’s coming in is already in short supply and while they’ve been doing their best to make it last, a rise in trauma cases isn’t helping.

He says it’s a matter that remains quite large for them, and if the public can take active steps to avoid trauma cases, it would assist them in keeping services afloat each month.

Dr Frank’s comments come at a time when they’ve issued notice to scale down services to only emergencies at Alotau Provincial Hospital’s operating theatre, given concerns of short supply of basic surgery drugs from povidone iodine for disinfection to fluids and gloves.

Trauma attributed to climbing for betelnut and mustard

Authorities in Milne Bay are concerned about the rise in trauma cases among children, associated with tree climbing and falls.

Acting Director Curative Services at the Milne Bay Health Authority confirms they are seeing a huge number in children coming it with broken bones from climbing trees and they are warning parents against the practice of making their children fetch them betelnut and mustard from the trees.

That’s extra care and specialist consultations too.

Meantime, Dr Frank also alluded to a rise in gunshot trauma in association with law and order, urging public in Milne Bay to be at the right place and the right time and to be wise in their decisions to avoid attracting unnecessary hospital visits.

His comments come after decisions to scale back on services at the Alotau Provincial Hospital who is facing acute drug shortage as it is.