By DALCY LULUA
THE Popondetta General Hospital is in urgent need of intervention from the National Government and the National Department of Health.
Despite the appointment of a new chief executive officer in October 2021, the hospital’s conditions have deteriorated.
It has come to light that since the new CEO assumed office, there has been a lack of establishment of a board or corporate plan, leading to a poor working environment for the general staff.
“The Northern Provincial Health Authority (NPHA) requires competent management, starting from the executive level,” an inside source, who requested anonymity, said.
“There have been no new board members or corporate plans put in place since the CEO took office in October 2021.”
Allegations have surfaced regarding senior executives’ frequent travel to Port Moresby without notifying staff of who will act in their absence.
The source said Locum doctors continue to fill positions, with most senior doctors having transferred out of the province.
The hospital faces a shortage of senior medical officers for the labour ward and relies on general practitioners.
It has been revealed that pathology and biochemistry services have been compromised, with only three physicians, one of whom is in the office, managing specialist medical officers.
Health Extension Officers (HEOs) manage units with no medical officers or specialists.
The source said the X-ray machine often breaks down, causing patient dissatisfaction, while patients who have been admitted allegedly face delayed meals or go without food for days.
He said the dispensary is running low on basic consumables such as gauze, while the general outpatient area lacks proper seating.
The state-of-the-art operating theatre remains unused and is deteriorating, the insider said.
“The morgue is reportedly in a deteriorating state, necessitating the use of 40-foot containers to store bodies,” he said.
“Funds allocated for a new morgue are allegedly missing, as there is no evidence of their utilization.
“Health workers face constant security threats, with reports of theft within the hospital.
“Recently, intruders stole property from duty nursing staff.”
All hospital vehicles are in disrepair, compounding the challenges faced by the hospital.
Staff members are urging the Health Department to conduct an immediate investigation into the hospital and NPHA.
Our source said patients arriving at the hospital are often succumbing before receiving medical attention.
This paper reached out to get the Health Minister’s comments but was unsucceeful.
