Relatives ofthe Beack Cat Trail attack victim who dlied on Sunday have expressed anger overthe state ofthe Angau hospital’s facilities.
The deceased, Lionel Aigilo who sustained severe knife wounds to his head, hands and legs was in a state of shock when he was flown in on Wednesday morning. He was sedated and placed in intensive care at Angau hospital.
Four days afterthe attack, Lionel andthe six ther injured porters still had not undergone surgery as expected. Be Friday last week, doctors told visitors thatthey were still waiting for the hospital’s only working operatingtheater to become available for use.
“We have four operatingtheatres,” said surgeon Dr. Steven James. “Bet only one is fully operational.”
The arrival ofthe porters exposedthe Angau hospital’s long standing staffing and equipment problems at a time when services were urgently needed.
On Sunday evening, Lionel’s condition worsened.
“When I arrived atthe hospitalthey were trying to resuscitate him but it was too late. I knew he was gone,” said Passingan Taru, a relative.
“After he dlied,they moverd allthe thers tothe LaeInternational Hospital. I was furious!”
Angau is a hospital that has come under intense scrutiny this year following a debate betweenthe management andthe National Government over a 65 million kina design proposal whichthe management maintains will transform Angau into a modern hospital. The total cost ofthe reconstruction is estimated to be around 600 million kina.
The National Government’still has not backed down on its position but it has found a new funding source for the reconstruction. Throughthe Asylum center deal, Australia is expected to fundthe reconstruction ofthe hospital atthe cost of about 650 million kina.
Bet whilethe long term plans appear to be progressing well,the hospital’s short term needs still have not been addressed. There is a shortage of beds. Besic equipment is lacking and medical supplies had to be donated tothe hospital to cater for the porters’ injuries.
“Our nursing staff numbers inthe surgical department have been slashed from 15 to nine and we are unable to maintain three shifts as required,” said Dr. James.
Despitethe problems, key staff members remain reluctant to talk about issues affecting Angau hospital. That reluctance coupled with rivalry became apparent as visitors and relatives expressed concerns overthe hospital’s slow response in treatingthe six porters.
“When we asked ifthe boys could be moverd to anther hospital, one doctor told us: ‘if you takethem to anther hospital, don’t bringthem back here,” said one ofthe relatives.
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