The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is calling for concerted international action to support Papua New Guinea as a surge in Covid-19 cases overwhelms its health system.
The latest surge has seen the highest number of daily cases recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.
Photo: AFP
The PNG Red Cross Secretary General, Uvenama Rova, said hospitals are full, and patients are being turned away in Port Moresby and provincial areas.
He said "urgent efforts and further support are needed in healthcare to prevent a massive loss of life in the coming days and weeks."
The vaccine rollout, that has helped to contain the virus in other countries, remains extremely low in Papua New Guinea due to a range of issues, including misinformation and public apprehension.
Only 1.5 per cent of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, with 0.67 per cent fully vaccinated, according to Oxford University's Our World in Data.
The IFRC's Asia Pacific Head of Health, John Fleming, said "if this covid surge continues at such an alarming speed, PNG's fragile health system is at risk of collapse."
He said it's vital emergency healthcare services are increased to prevent greater suffering and loss of life.
