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AROB establishes Health Response Team

The outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) that originated in China has triggered alarms worldwide with authorities implementing tighter border controls, imposing travel bans and other measures.

In Bougainville, the ABG’s Department of Health has established a Health Response Team as a quick measure to respond locally to the announcement made by the PNG National Department of Health that the country is on heightened surveillance for suspected cases.

The AROB Health Response Team is being led by Buka General Hospital’s acting CEO Dr Tommy Wotsia and the acting director of medical services Dr Mathias Tovilu.

The Response Team has assured the public that there are no confirmed cases in the country to date, however they are working closely with relevant authorities to monitor the global spread.

“The AROB Health Response Team has remained vigilant in tracking the global spread and response to the COVID-19 outbreak as well as following the most up to date information and recommendations from the National Department of Health, World Health Organization and other relevant national and international organizations,” Dr Wotsia said.

The Response Team is also working closely with local stakeholders including the Bougainville government agencies such as Customs & Immigration, Buka Urban Council and the air and sea ports officials in organizing measures to prevent local transmission and prepare for possible cases of the virus.

“Measures have included the activation of the region’s emergency operations center with weekly meetings, developing and budgeting of an action plan to be submitted to Bougainville Executive Council, media awareness to the public on the disease with a hotline to be soon established, sensitizing of health staff to the disease and training for patient care, organizing isolation unit and planned regular intergovernmental coordination meetings,” Dr Wotsia explained.

The ABG’s Health Department remains alert to scale up activities in these areas at any notice from relevant authorities.

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