Police officers arrested for hearing over incident in Gerehu Hospital

The past few months in Port Moresby has seen an increase in lawlessness.

This increased activity while not specifically targeting health workers, they've become unfortunate victims.

The acting CEO of NCD Provincial Health Authority Dr. Robin Oge made these comments at the back of the attack of a staff at the Gerehu General Hospital, Dr. Thomas Aiyaka in early September and those at the St. Paul's Clinic also in Gerehu.

“And some of our staff have become unfortunate victims of those law and order issues in the city, and so has other people as well.

“I think it's just an unfortunate thing that our health workers are attacked by law and order issues in the city, and other people as well have been affected by criminal elements.

Dr. Oge says he was not in office at the time of the attack on the staff of the St. Paul's clinic which occurred at the end of August.

He added that three police officers have been arrested and had their first hearing last month for the assault on the doctor at Gerehu General Hospital.

“Yes, we have full support of the police commissioner and the police force, including the Metropolitan Superintendent. The officers have been incarcerated, and I think they've had their first hearing already, and our lawyers are working on that. So that case is progressing well.

“Those who are responsible will be, you know, they'll face the penalty for their actions. So that's at the courts now too. In fact, there's an increase of law and order issues in this, in the city,” Dr. Oge said