THE Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang has demanded for more accountability on public health and accused the Government of losing focus and not effectively running the country’s affairs.
Lelang made this statement while referring to the crisis now facing the health sector in Papua New Guinea and saying this was totally unacceptable.
He said the problems of shortages in basic drugs like Panadol and deterioration in the country’s public health was not something new and had been recurring problems throughout the years.
Lelang said the recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports presented to the Parliament by then Chairman Sir John Pundari pointed out very clearly that the public health care system in the country was dysfunctional, old and had collapsed in many places including the procurement and distribution of medicines and drugs.
“In the face of health problems now emerging in the country, Lelang questioned why that PAC report was collecting dust,” he said.
“We need to address the deterioration of health facilities at the Port Moresby General Hospital and elsewhere. We need to start addressing concerns by medical students’ on the inadequate medical facilities and equipment that are crucial to their studies so that they become good doctors in future.
“Why are our people subjected to a broken-down hospital facility like the maternity wards and mortuary?”.
Lelang said the appealing conditions facing the country’s hospitals and health sectors was unacceptable.
He said the government should not ignore the pressing issues at home and spending millions of Kina on travelling the World.
The Opposition Leader again reiterated that an audit investigations into the National Department of Health and into the Port Moresby General Hospital was very very crucial.
“I am calling on relevant agencies like the Ombudsman Commission and Auditor General’s office to commence an audit investigations into the appalling conditions of the Port Moresby General Hospital, why are we running out of basic drugs and our medical schools do not have the appropriate equipment.
“These are management issues and in the public interest that an audit is carried out. We demand answers as to why health issues were allowed to reach critical levels,” he said.
“We cannot continue to progress as a nation, going forward without addressing these issues once and for all.”
