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In the last seven days, 16 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Papua New Guinea’s National Capital District (NCD), which brings the cumulative number of cases in Papua New Guinea to 27. The new cases comprise a cluster of workers from a local laboratory and referral hospital and a cluster of residents in a settlement area in Port Moresby. Source investigations are still underway, and epidemiological links are yet to be established. There is a high likelihood of expanded community transmission. While no new province in PNG has reported cases since April, it is known that testing has been very limited despite the enhanced testing strategy. The National Control Center (NCC) is supporting provinces to address barriers and increase testing with provision of supplies such as PPE and swabs, training of health workers, improving transportation of specimens and enhancing community support to address stigma and fear.
Due to this, the Ministry is concerned about the capacity to manage the severe and critical cases of COVID-19 and has issued a request for assistance for Emergency Medical Teams.There is an urgent need for clinical teams (EMTs) to support the National Control Centre, the National Department of Health, and Provincial Health Authorities across PNG to prepare for and manage a surge in COVID-19 cases. Teams are requested from EMT organizations who have completed or are in process of completing the WHO EMT classification. This response requires EMT specialist teams capable of integrating within existing health structures and working in support of the national health system, or capable of establishing/managing stand-alone isolation facilities.
The requested initial duration of the mission is 1 month, but the Secretariat welcomes offers from teams that can offer longer term support or are interested in setting up a rotation with another team/teams. Additional information regarding the details of deployment will be provided to EMTs that submit their expressions of interest.
Please read the official request for assistance with additional details for deployment here: https://bit.ly/PNG_EMT
All teams interested in deploying that meet the criteria should email their offers of assistance and registration forms (click here for form) to Ms Dina Saulo (based in country) at saulod@who.int with cc to the EMT Secretariat (emteams@who.int) before 24 July 2020.
Deployment of Emergency Medical Teams is subject to approval by the Ministry of Health and HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. Once in the field, the coordination of EMT activities is led by the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO. Teams are expected to be able to comply with the minimum standards of being a deployable EMT. The EMT will be self-sufficient as required by the minimum standard including PPE for the team. We thank you in advance for your assistance.
Emergency Medical Teams Secretariat
 
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