A coordinated effort among various statutory health agencies,
will provide comprehensive emergency medical support during
the Papal Visit this week. Operating under the joint command
of the Department of Health, the collaboration involves the
National St John Ambulance Council, Port Moresby General
Hospital (PMGH), the NCD Provincial Health Authority
(NCDPHA), the PNG National Emergency Medical Team
(PNGEMT), and the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority.
The joint health support operations will begin on Friday 06
September and continue through to Monday 09 September
2024 when the Papal delegation departs Papua New Guinea.
Over 35,000 people are expected to attend ceremonies on
Sunday 08 Sep and Monday 09 Sep at Sir John Guise
Stadium.
Dr Gary Nou, National EMT Lead for the Department of
Health, said, “the Pope’s visit could be one of the largest
gatherings of people at a single event in PNG’s modern
history. Our priority is being well-prepared for the expected
medical needs during the event. As with any event of this size,
adequate crowd control is vital, and we ask people to move
sensibly around the venueto prevent situations where crowd
crush may occur. We have baseline plans in place to manage
a situation where a large number of people may require
assistance at the same time.”
To manage the expected medical needs, PNG EMT, PMGH
and NStJA will establish an advanced care medical centre
(ACMC) at the Stadium. The ACMCwill be staffed by a skilled
team of doctors and nurses from PMGH, NCDPHA, and
NStJA. The ACMC’s objective is totreat patients on site.
Complex cases will be stabilised and referred to hospital as
needed.
In addition to the ACMC, nine first aidposts will be placed
around the stadium, each manned by NStJA volunteer first
responders. To further enhance emergency coverage, four
additional NStJA ambulances, staffed by ambulance officers,
will supplement the six ambulances already operating in
NCDas part of NStJA’s normal emergency services. These
extra ambulances will be on standby to respond to any serious
incidents.
NStJA will also deploy a critical care ambulance and a quick
response vehicle to support the Papal delegation. The critical
care medical team will accompany the Papal Delegation to
Vanimo, returning the same day.
To ensure adequate coverage for this large event, NStJA has
recalled off-duty staff to assist with the event. We have also
recruited and trained an additional 40 volunteer first
responder. In total there will be around 150 trained first
responder volunteers and health professionals engaged in
provide support to the Papal Delegation.
