Hon. Jelta Wong, MP, Minister for Health
MEDIA RELEASE Monday 6 April 2020 at 7:21 pm
Minister Wong pleased with PNG COVID-19 testing facility
MINISTER for Health and HIV-AIDS Hon. Jelta Wong visited the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (IMR) in Goroka today to witness firsthand the essential work the management and staff of the institute are doing in the fight to contain the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Wong was accompanied by the Governor for Eastern Highlands Province Hon Peter Numu and Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Wera Mori. Minister Wong told the Director of IMR, Dr William Pomat, and his staff that it was important for the minister to witness the work that this world renowned research institute is doing to support the government in the delivery of health services in our country.
He said he was particularly proud to see that the Institute is staffed by Papua New Guinean scientists. “At this time when our country is being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the institute that has provided us the scientific backing in our ongoing fight to track and contain the spread of COVID-19 in PNG.
“We must not be complacent but use this opportunity to build up our health facilities’ capabilities as well as educate our people in our towns and village communities on simple personal hygiene and change their bad habits.
“I challenge our people in this country to use this global threat to be healthy conscious and look after ourselves and our families and communities.
“I also thank the EHP Governor Hon Peter Numu and his government and leadership by allocating K2.5m to support the provincial health authority and the COVID-19 Emergency Response in the province. This is by far the biggest provincial government contribution towards the local response and it’s highly commendable,” Minister Wong said.
Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS, Hon. Jelta Wong (second from right), accompanied by Minister for Environment and Conservation, and Climate Change, Hon. Wera Mori, Governor of Eastern Highlands Province, Hon. Peter Mumu and Director of the Institute of Medical Research , Dr William Pomat and his staff in Goroka.
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Hon. Jelta Wong, Minister for Environment and Conservation and Climate Change, Hon. Wera Mori, and Governor of Eastern Highlands, Peter Mumu being briefed by Director of the Institute of Medical Research, Dr William Pomat.
For media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
Team Leader – COVID-19 Media & Public Information
Mobile: 75430557: Email: ddkakas@gmail.com