A Samoan family wants answers after 16 year old son dies in sporting accident, the RNZAF drops off PPE to Papua New Guinea and more.
Photo: St Joseph's College
Family of dead Samoan teen seeks answers
A family who lost their 16 year old son in a sporting accident at a college in Samoa wants answers on how it happened.
The Samoa Observer reported the incident happened at St Joseph's College last Friday when David Manuele fell on a concrete floor during a ''sack race'' and hit his head.
The student's uncle, Ulugia David Paono, said he was dismayed at the school for organising a sports event in the school hall.
He claimed no first aid was applied and that ambulance assistance was late.
There had been no response from the school regarding the incident.
Ulugia added his nephew's death should not be in vain but a lesson to all schools.
Samoa-Fiji say relations strengthened by new Resident High Commissioner
Samoa's first resident high commissioner to Fiji says having a diplomatic process in Suva demonstrates Samoa's renewed commitment to the relationship between the two Pacific neighbours.
Ali'ioaiga Feturi Elisaia made the comment while presenting his credentials to Fiji President Jioji Konrote in Suva last week.
Ali'ioaiga said the "enduring and multifaceted Samoa-Fiji relations was anchored in their mutual trust, respect and genuine friendship".
He said people to people ties were also bonded by a shared history, cultural, social and economic relationship.
NZ Covid-19 assistance lands in PNG
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 has carried out contactless delivery of Personal Protective Equipment to Port Moresby to help Papua New Guinea deal with a surge in Covid-19 cases.
The delivery followed the New Zealand government's announcement on Friday that it would be providing additional support to PNG following the spike in cases there.
New Zealand arranged for eight tonnes of PPE for PNG, enough for clinical teams to treat 1000 Covid-19 cases.
Half have been taken with a second flight still being planned.
The PPE included hand sanitiser, goggles, biohazard bags, thermometers, gloves, gowns and surgical face masks.
St John's sets up extra Covid-19 centre in PNG
The health service provider St John's is helping Papua New Guinea set up an extra care centre for Covid-19 patients.
PNG's total number of Covid cases hurtled past 3000 in an outbreak which has already overwhelmed the country's health system.
Wards at Port Moresby General Hospital were full due to increased cases.
The capital's Rita Flynn gymnasium is used as an extra Covid ward, but only has a 43-bed capacity.
Matthew Cannon from St John's PNG said they were opening a facility at Moresby's Taurama Aquatic Centre which could have up to 300 beds.
He said they were also providing holistic care for Covid-19 patients, including psycho-social support.