By JOE GURINA
THE MP for Goilala Casmiro Aia has come out clear on the issue relating to the closure of a health center in the district that has resulted in several deaths last week.
The MP said the closure of the Tapini Health Center in Central province was a concern that every responsible stakeholder should consider.
‘’There is no blame game on this issue. We all take equal blame, the Central Province Health Authority, my office, the Central Governor’s office, Police and the Catholic Agency responsible for the health institution.’’
He said this was an unfortunate situation as he sends his condolence to the immediate families of the deceased.
He said there were security reasons concerning the safety of health workers following the killing of a Catholic Priest towards the end of last year in the area.
He said health workers were threatened and were forced to vacate the health center.
It was reported in one of the dailies last week that several patients from a village in Guari were forced to walk extra mile from the Tapini health center to the nearest Ketava aid-post at Tororo to seek medical attention, but unfortunately three died as there weren’t any medical drugs available.
‘’What transpired is of concern. My duty as the mandated leader is to provide infrastructures for schools, health centers, aid posts and bring tangible services into the district. It is the duty of the Provincial Health Authority (PHAs) to have adequate drugs in health centers and aid-posts and manpower. I need to have a close dialogue with the Central Provincial Health Authority (CPHA) to find amicable solutions on improving health services in the district,’’ he said.
He said he sent in a helicopter to medicav two other patients to Port Moresby while learning of the situation.
Meanwhile, he said the matter regarding the killing of the priest is before police and those involved will be dealt with by the law accordingly.
