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http://bougainville.typepad.com/newdawn/2010/01/buka-hospital-is-closed-after-boat-hijacking.html

Buka hospital is closed after boat hijacking

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

Buka hospital has temporarily closed its Outpatients and Emergency Section after its boat was hijacked by six gunmen in the early hours of yesterday morning.

In making the announcement, hospital CEO, Dr Banabas Matanu, said this was the sixth hijacking and the hospital cannot continue to operate under such conditions.

The outpatients department will remain closed and major operations will be postponed for a week.Dr Matanu appealed to government authorities to assist the hospital with security.

Most nurses and doctors live on Sohano island and must go by boat to move to and from work.

The National Doctors. Association, Nurses Association and their members all opted to take this stand.

Dr Matanu warned that if the boat is not returned, the hospital will be closed indefinitely. All sick people seeking medical attention have been asked to use village clinics.