Do not harm health professionals

Media Statement

The tragic death of Dr Joe Kumbu last Saturday is a big loss to the immediate family and more the health sector of this country.

Dr Kumbu, 35, works at the Port Moresby General Hospital as a paediatrician and was doing post-graduate studies in Australia. He was found dead with injuries to his body at Ensisi Valley in National Capital District previous Saturday morning while on study leave.

Both the Ministry and Department of Health is shocked and sadden of the loss of the young doctor. On behalf of the Minister and the Department I am conveying our condolences to the families and relatives.

In sharing our sympathy I am appealing for calm and cooperation as well from the family and relatives and urge them to assist police in their investigations to establish the cause of Dr Kumbu’s death.

I also ask for understanding from the colleagues of late Dr Kumbu at the Port Moresby General Hospital, the National Doctors Association and the public and refrain from causing any disturbances to the flow of health care services at the Port Moresby General Hospital or any health facilities in National Capital District as a show of protest.

We all know that the health sector is in challenging time where we are facing a critical shortage of every cadre of health professionals.

While the Department of Health is addressing the challenge through engagement of retired health workers, training of new recruits, and recruitment of overseas health professionals I would sincerely appeal to the members of the public to respect and refrain from causing harm to our health professionals who are currently serving our people in both the public and private run health facilities throughout the country.

On the same note I urge the police to be swift in their investigations and prosecute the culprits involved in causing the death of Dr Kumbu.