EHPHA RESPONDS TO COMPLAINTS RAISED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, MORE HEALTH WORKERS NEEDED
By Vicky Baunke in Goroka, EHP
The growing pressure on Goroka Provincial Specialist Hospital’s Emergency Department has highlighted the need for more health workers and resources as Eastern Highlands Province’s population surpasses 900,000, according to the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority.
EHPHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Pomuso Warima said the hospital currently has only 50 doctors serving a population of more than 900,000 people, placing significant pressure on the province’s main referral hospital.
This response follows multiple complaints raised on social media about patient care and waiting times at the Emergency Department.
Dr Warima said the Emergency Department was frequently operating beyond its designed capacity, treating critically ill patients alongside non-emergency walk-in cases and patients referred from other health centres.
He said a nationwide shortage of specialised medical officers, registered nurses and support personnel was adding further pressure to frontline health workers.
In addition, shortages of medical supplies and essential pharmaceutical drugs were affecting the delivery of health services.
“The Emergency Department operates around the clock on three shifts, but EHPHA said staffing levels are reduced during night and overnight shifts, making it more difficult for health workers to respond promptly during periods of high demand.”
Dr Warima said the Emergency Department was intended primarily for patients with critical and life-threatening conditions and those referred from other health facilities.
However, the department is also frequently overcrowded by walk-in patients with non-emergency conditions and people without referral letters.
“This places additional pressure on staff and resources, making it difficult to respond promptly and effectively to the large number of patients requiring emergency care,” the EHPHA said.
Despite the challenges, Dr Warima said resource and staffing pressures did not excuse poor patient care or a lack of empathy from health workers.
He encouraged members of the public who experience or witness inappropriate conduct by staff to formally report the matter to the Hospital Manager, relevant directors or the CEO’s office.
The authority said complaints supported by evidence, including witness statements or video footage, would assist management in taking appropriate action, including disciplinary measures where warranted.
Dr Warima has also called on the Department of Personnel Management to fast-track recruitment to strengthen the health workforce and support a proposed major restructure of EHPHA.
He said the restructure was long overdue and would allow the authority to create additional positions and recruit staff to match the province’s growing population and demand for health services.
Meanwhile, Dr Warima said it was conducting an internal review of the concerns raised about the Emergency Department and would establish the facts before taking appropriate action.
“Our hospital belongs to the people; we are accountable to the people, and transparency is at the heart of our service,” Dr Warima said.
The authority has also urged the public to use formal complaint channels rather than making unsubstantiated allegations on social media.
He said the public scrutiny was important but warned that false, misleading or defamatory publications could create fear, affect staff morale and undermine health service delivery.
The authority said complaints and media reports concerning health services should be based on verified facts rather than speculation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to improving and strengthening health services for the people of Eastern Highlands and Papua New Guinea.
