Lecturers at the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medical and Health Sciences in Port Moresby are planning a stop work.
The academic doctors say the national government has failed to pay their salaries, according to an agreement they signed in 2016.
The stop work commenced yesterday, and will continue until the government gives a positive response.
Reasons for the stop work include an outstanding of over K3 million owed to the 29 academic doctors, for their salaries, dating back to January 2014.
The stop work means both theory and practical classes at the medical faculty and the Port Moresby General Hospital, will be suspended for a week, or longer, depending on when a positive response is given by the National Government.
This afternoon, the academic doctors met with the medical students and explained the reasons for their stop work.
“We have informed the clinical staff at POMGEN that if any student turns up for lessons at the hospital, they will not be taught,” Doctor Pauline Wake said.
Though the stop work is not intended to disrupt classes at the Taurama campus, although the students fear they will fall behind their learning schedules.
The stop work comes six months after classes at both UPNG campuses were suspended after the students protested, for Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, to step down as PM in 2016.
In September 2016, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Department of Personnel Management, and the National Doctors Association.
The MOA includes claims made by NDA to improve terms and conditions of Doctor’s in the public sector.
However, the academic Doctor’s say, while other Doctor’s have received their promises, they are still waiting.
The administration of SMHS is aware of the stop work.
The medical students are now calling on the government to not only respond positively, but, quickly.
