Health Trainees in PNG urged to get COVID-19 jabs

PNG Medicine Students. Photo by Albertis Photography

STUDENTS training to be health workers have been advised to take Covid-19 vaccine jabs to protect themselves and their patients.
Prof Glen Mola, the head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of PNG school of medicine and health science and the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), was responding to an advice by the school urging them to take the vaccine so that they can complete their training.
“The notice in no way takes away any student right,” he said.
“It merely reports that the PMGH has issued a directive that any student or trainee coming into the hospital to do clinical training (and using the hospital patients for that purpose) will be vaccinated so that they do not risk giving the Covid-19 virus to the patients thereby risking their lives.”

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He said the hospital had a duty of care for patients and students.
“Students can choose not to get the vaccine. However, this will mean that they will not be permitted to enter the hospital after May 19 if they are not vaccinated.”
He said the management of the school and hospital had heard the views of students who declined to be vaccinated and told them the decision would still stand.
He advised students who wanted to be health workers:

• TO understand and accept scientific evidence and not be confused by conspiracy theories which are not true;
• TO respect the agreement signed between the UPNG and the hospital to access clinical training;
• IF they choose not to get vaccinated, they will not have access to clinical training at PMGH; and,
• THAT the AstraZeneca vaccine has been tested and is safe for use.

​The National / PNGHealthWatch

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