Mt Hagen Hospital, Papua New Guinea's third-largest, has run out of drugs and medical supplies as a nationwide drug shortage cripples hospitals around the country. Photo: EMTV
Papua New Guinea's third-largest hospital has run out of supplies and is turning away patients, as a nationwide drug shortage hits hard.
Doctors at Mt Hagen Hospital, in the Highlands, have used up all supplies and, in some cases, are having to use patients' clothes in place of gauze.
The hospital's deputy chief executive, David Vorst, says the hospital has been struggling for months as the Department of Health hasn't provided funding or replenished supplies.
Mr Vorst says that on average, the hospital only receives about 30 percent of the supplies it asks for each year, but it has managed to scrape by until this week.
"The hospital is actually out of everything. We've got doctors and nurses working very difficult circumstances delivering babies, for example, without any gloves to protect them. We've got election-related violence at the moment and people are getting angry because they've come into the Accident and Emergency department and are unable to be treated."
David Vorst says the government's chief secretary has stepped in and promised action, and stocks should be replenished next week.
