By ESWIN PLESIO
THE newly appointed Health Minister Dr. Billy Joseph has pledged to improve the availability of medicines in health facilities across Papua New Guinea, saying no patient should miss out on treatment because essential drugs are unavailable.
Speaking at the opening of the 3rd Port Moresby General Hospital Clinical Nursing Symposium in Port Moresby, Dr. Joseph said medicine availability in lower-level health facilities currently stands at just 48 per cent.
He said that is far below where it should be and has set a target of increasing it to about 80 per cent before the end of his term through reforms to the country’s procurement and supply systems.
“Medicine availability in our lower-level health facilities is currently about 48 per cent, and we must do better,” Dr. Joseph said.
“My goal is to lift that to around 80 per cent by the end of my term by reforming the way we procure and distribute medicines.”
He said access to medicines is one of the biggest challenges facing the country’s health system, particularly in rural and remote communities where health centres and aid posts are often the only source of medical care.
Dr. Joseph said improving medicine supplies goes hand in hand with the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the health sector through better health infrastructure, more healthcare workers and improved services.
He continued on saying that people should be able to visit a health facility with confidence that the medicines they need will be available.
The Minister also revealed that he is reviewing the performance of all Provincial Health Authorities as part of efforts to improve accountability, governance and the delivery of health services nationwide.
He said the government is committed to building a stronger and more reliable health system, but success will depend on everyone working together.