14 July 2020

Twenty-five members of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) composed of medical officers, nurses, community health workers, laboratory science officers and preventative medicine officers, underwent a hands-on training on COVID-19  on  11 July 2020 at Camp Aruma, Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby.

The training module included topics on COVID-19 epidemiology, infection prevention and control (IPC), completing case investigation forms and sample collection techniques. The training was facilitated by a team of experts from the National Department of Health (NDOH), Provincial Health Authority of the National Capital District (PHA-NCD) and the World Health Organization. The activity is part of the ongoing support and mentoring to PNGDF to conduct COVID-19 screening for returning soldiers who are mobilized to support the response to COVID-19; for diagnoses and surveillance at PNGDF clinic sites; and for overall strengthening of the PNGDF’s response to COVID-19.