From L – R: Dr Flora Jethro, Oil Search Field Lead Medical Officer, Dr Julia Stinshoff, Senior Medical Officer, Sr Ruth Sala, Oil Search Registered Nurse, Api Kassman, Head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Ministerial Task Force and Leon Buskens, Oil Search Executive Vice President & Co-Head PNG witnessing Oil Search employee Nicholas Koromugo being vaccinated in the Company’s medical clinic by Sr Janet Hoiba, Oil Search Clinic Supervisor.
Oil Search is strongly committed to protecting the people of Papua New Guinea from the spread of COVID-19.
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Papua New Guinean National Control Centre (NCC) for COVID19, the company is now administering the COVID-19 vaccination to staff and community.
“We are happy that we are able to be a major part of the solution by working collaboratively with our National Government and NCC, in proactively managing the growing severe risks of COVID-19 through vaccination,” said Leon Buskens, Oil Search Executive Vice President & Co-Head PNG.
“Oil Search is always there in times of disaster such as the earthquake and droughts working with our leaders and communities. We are pleased to be able to again contribute with the COVID-19 disaster. COVID-19 is real and has and can further cripple social and economic living.”
To date, all of Oil Search’s PNG field operations including its Moro site remain COVID-free. This has been a result of strict protocols, including quarantine, twice weekly testing and wastewater testing.
Oil Search has conducted more than 54,000 COVID-19 tests at its medical clinics and quarantine facilities, distributed 450,000 items of personal protective equipment to health workers, and administered more than 1300 doses of the AstraZeneca and J&J vaccines. More than 1150 Oil Search staff and contractors in PNG have now received their COVID-19 vaccination.
In addition, the Company continues to assist the PNG Government COVID-19 response through dedicated PNG industry task force with supply chain and logistics as requested.
Api Kassman, the head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Ministerial Task Force said that the Government is now directly engaging with companies that have registered medical staff so they can administer vaccines.
“Companies such as Oil Search have medical staff who are able to administer vaccinations and so they are expanding vaccine coverage to workers, their families and community members. We appreciate these companies that are playing an important role in helping our people to vaccine.
“For other private sector businesses who are looking to have their workforce fully vaccinated, we also have mobile vaccine units that can visit the offices and workshops. After the first phase of the vaccine rollout, it has become very clear that we must have more mobile units to take vaccines to our people.”
Mr Kassman called on businesses around the country to register their interests in receiving vaccines through the National Call Centre. “The number to call is 1-800-200. You just need to call and leave your details and you will be contacted to arrange an appointment. The range of vaccines available has also expanded with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine which is made by the same company that makes the baby powder and shampoo.
“Johnson & Johnson is also a single-dose vaccine, and this means people only need one shot to be fully vaccinated. Everyone is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated to protect individuals, families and communities from this deadly virus,” Mr Kassman said.
Article courtesy of Oil Search
