Madang Provincial Hospital receives much-needed medical drugs

A recent armed hold-up along Madang's Bruce Jephcot Highway has led a group of like- minded Madang citizens to get together and seek possible ways of sourcing help for the provincial hospital.

The incident, which occurred several weeks ago, resulted in a company executive almost losing two of his fingers on his right hand. He was also slashed on his right elbow and right shoulder.

Although he was rushed to the Madang Provincial Hospital Emergency Unit, he could not get treated as there were no drugs available in the Outpatient and Emergency Unit at that time.

"I was left unattended, bleeding, and in excruciating pain for about an hour until I sent word for one of my in-laws, who also works at the hospital, to come and help me out. He came and told me that there were no painkillers, no iodine solution, no lignocaine [local anaesthetic] to help me, but because I was in a lot of pain, I told him to go ahead and stitch my severed fingers. He stitched my fingers without any injection or whatever," he said.

One person who offered help when the hospital Outpatient and Emergency Unit failed was Robert Banasi. He managed to find a friend who had some painkillers, and they assisted me until the next day when he went to the pharmacy and bought medicine.

This is just one part of the story that pushed Banasi to start an online conversation which finally led to the donation this week.

Banasi is an avid supporter of the hospital who has been giving a helping hand to the hospital every now and then with the support of other good citizens and business houses.

For the recent case, Banasi was able to bring together people like Dianne Liriope, a former senior nursing officer at the hospital, Gary Litz of Madang Butchery, community leader Stanley Gaan, Margaret Anut, women's representative in the Madang Provincial Assembly, Darryl Raka from World Vision, and a handful of hospital staff, and immediately discussed means and ways of sourcing help from suggested bringing together like- minded people to immediately source help, especially with much-needed basic medical drugs that were lacking at the hospital.

The meeting discussed several possibilities, including petitioning the Madang Government. This idea was, however; not pursued.

Given the urgency of the situation, Mr Litz decided to write a request letter to the Mineral Resources Development Corporation [MRDC], detailing the highway incident.

MRDC immediately gave a positive response to support the cause, and a quotation was furnished for the drugs that were lacking at the hospital's A & E.

MRDC paid K23, 652. 35 to Chemcare Group Limited and the drugs were picked up at the Niugini Wholesale Drug warehouse in Lae by MadFox Pawa, a local Madang- based company, and delivered freight- free.

Litz said he has written another letter to another party on behalf of the group and is awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, the 23 boxes of medicine were delivered last Friday to the hospital by the group.

Mr Litz, whilst handing over the boxes, said, "We are desperate that is why we are doing this. This is all for the community, for the people of Madang."

He also extended a big thankyou to the sponsor, MRDC, on behalf of the group for the timely assistance.

Dr Michael Kuri, the hospital's Acting Medical Manager was at hand to receive the donation with the hospital's Executive Manager, Jeremiah Mark.

Dr Kuri on behalf of Madang Provincial Health Authority, thanked the group behind the generous gesture.

He said, "These are general consumables that we use all the time, and it is unfortunate that we do not have them in stock. Every opportunity like this counts and on behalf of MaPHA, and the people of Madang Province, thank you."