Thread by @lynnemurphy1

1/12 #APEC media: Australia paid many $Billions to private companies #IHMS & #PIH to provide limited medical services to #Manus refugees for 5+ years. Nothing to upgrade Manus Island Lorengau Hospital that’s a run-down, little provincial hospital servicing an entire community.

2/12 When #Manus refugees need X-rays, scans, dental treatment, surgery, emergency services, in-patient or out-of-hours services, they are sent to #Lorengau Hospital. This strains the already overburdened island health service. #APEC has triggered a Manus health services crisis.

3/12 While 5 critically ill refugees remain, PIH hospital Port Moresby discharged all PNG patients & cancelled dozens of sick refugees’ treatment. PIH/Australia refugee contract conflicts with preferred #APEC provider role. Dozens of sick refugees were forced to return to #Manus.

4/12 The strain on Lorengau Hospital, #Manus, during & after #APEC will dramatically increase. A cohort of very sick refugees, who should be treated in Port Moresby or Australia, will remain on Manus for many months due to backlog after APEC. The added load’s already impacting.

5/12 Before #APEC began, dozens of sick refugees were returned from Port Moresby to #Manus. Some are very sick. Some were still undergoing treatment for serious and critical illnesses and their treatments were cancelled. Others were still waiting for treatment to begin.

6/12 Last week, planned treatments for very sick refugees on #Manus were cancelled due to #APEC. They had waited months. At least one now needs urgent medivac from Manus. He is critically ill in Lorengau Hospital. Others are watched over round the clock by refugees in the camp.

7/12 A critically ill #Manus refugee has been in Lorengau Hospital since Wednesday. Doctor ordered Medivac last week didn’t eventuate. He needs a well-equipped intensive care unit. No treatment is available in Pom during #APEC & Australia won’t accept refugees for treatment.

8/12 Lorengau Hospital struggles to meet local need. Australia's promise of infrastructure funding did not eventuate. #PIH is paid more than $1million each week to run a tiny GP clinic in the #Manus refugee camp only during business hours. Sicker refugees go to Lorengau Hospital.

9/12 I am hoping that there is some way to prevent the looming health care catastrophe on #Manus Island. Lorengau Hospital is already stretched to the limit & cannot cope with local needs. Now #PIH Hospital Port Moresby has told refugees no treatment for 1 month due to #APEC.

10/12 A local resident suggested a visit by medical specialists in a Floating Medical Clinic similar to the one #MSF has for communities in need. Stationed in #Manus for at least 3 Months, such a ship could help address accumulating unmet medical needs due to the impact of #APEC.

11/12 A hospital ship could assist Lorengau Hospital by serving local #Manus people & refugees, including specialist treatment & surgery. Lorengau Hospital is run down in capacity & equipment, there are no surgeons, no cancer testing equipment, no drugs in the pharmacy. #APEC

12/12 He asks, ‘Can we get #Australia help us out by utilising this option. #PNG has no more money. All cash is tied to hosting #APEC. Let us do something to save the asylum seekers & our own people. What are your thoughts on this? What can we do?’
#Manus
MEDIA RELEASE 12/11/18

@ThreadReaderApp unroll
#Manus health crisis looming
Dozens of sick refugees' treatment for critical illnesses cancelled by #PIH due to #APEC. They join hundreds of other sick refugees & local people waiting for medical care.
Tiny, impoverished Lorengau Hospital cannot cope.

14/ Message from local person on #Manus:
#Lorengau Hospital needs:
~ Ten specialist doctors
~ All our local Lorengau Hospital staff need to be on some kind of allowance during #APEC period
~ Equipment
~ Drugs
~ Three 30 men wards - this is possible.

To see the full thread #APEC #Manus health crisis thread, go to: threadreaderapp.com/thread/1061615…

Another message from a local person who lives on #Manus about #APEC, #Australia & the healthcare crisis.