First batch of foreign nurses arrive

Caption:  Male nurses ready to head out to Laloki.

Caption:  Arriving at Airways for welcome breakfast.  

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 18, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

IN a low key ceremony hosted by the Port Moresby General Hospital (Pom Gen) at the Airways Hotel, 31 nurses from the Philippines finally arrived in the nation’s capital, fulfilling the government’s goal in easing the chronic shortage of nurses in the country’s biggest hospital.

A total of 37 nurses were expected from the first batch of 50, however, five were to arrive later (Saturday), and one was unfortunate to be in an accident.

All were in the country for the first time and the excitement was evident on their faces as they had breakfast with the executive management of Pom Gen, Secretary for Health Pascoe Kase and the Minister for Health and HIV Michael Malabag before they were transported to their residence of accommodation.

In his welcome address, Chief Executive Officer of Pom Gen Grant Muddle welcomed both male and female nurses to Port Moresby, assuring them that they would love their time in the capital.

He also reminded them that they had huge community of countrymen in the city living and working also.

Minister Malabag welcomed them on behalf of the government, giving them a brief of the working environment at the hospital and all the improvements that have taken place.

“There are many good things happening at the hospital at the moment and I am very happy with the board who are implementing government policy and direction,” Minister Malabag said.

“We want to bring people over like this to bring quality health care and assistance to our people and our nurses here, to work side by side.”

“Pom Gen has done it again, and there is a lot of complacency and it is a rewarding career having to love and care for someone.”

He spoke of the challenges health facilities faced with the shortage of local nurses.

“It has been a challenging to find nurses locally, and this concept has opened the door with other hospitals in the country now coming on board,” he said.

He thanked the Philippines Government for their support, and urged the nurse to give their best.

“Give your best so that the people will feel the level of quality health services that they deserve.”

Director for Nursing Services at Port Moresby General Hospital, Loa Babona said that all male nurses will be accommodated at the Laloki Psychiatric Hospital outside the city, while female nurses will reside within the city limits.

She said that how long they were to work at the hospital would depend on the hospital’s need.

“They are specialised in their own fields in nursing, some are theatre nurse, midwives, emergency nurses, and critical care nurses- all of which have been allocated accordingly,”Babona said.

“They all have experience in their roles and we expect another 14 to come in the coming weeks.”

Sunday Chronicle spoke to some of the nurses; they said they were excited and happy to be in the country and be able to learn more about the culture and help deliver quality healthcare to citizens.