Leaders representing the group, Voice of Morobe, have blocked the Angau CEO’s office, and petitioned the NEC over the appointing of Dr. Jim Abrahams as Angau’s acting CEO.
The leaders nailed planks to the door and stopped Dr. Jim Abrahams from entering his new office.
They then presented their petition to the provincial government to be taken to the National Executive Council.
Morobe's Deputy Governor, Judas Nalau turned up to receive the petition on behalf of Governor Kelly Naru.
For most of the changes that are happening at ANGAU, the Morobe Provincial Government is not aware of it, simply because we were not consulted”, Mr. Nalau said.
The group called on the National Executive Council to reinstate Dr. Polapoi Chalau as Angau hospital’s CEO, after he was removed from his post.
The protest comes a week later after NEC appointed Dr. Jims Abrahams, as the acting Angau’s CEO, until a permanent CEO is appointed.
Dr. Chalau was sidelined as the hospital’s Executive Officer, after he announced that Angau hospital would continue to charge health fees, which was against the government’s Free Health Care Policy.
They have also given the Health Minister, Michael Malabag, and the NEC 14 days to respond.
“The NEC’s decision to appoint the new CEO of Angau wasn’t transparent and we’ve given them two weeks to respond clearly or reinstate Dr. Chalau as the CEO,” one of the leaders said.
The Health Minister Michael Malabag, responded in a press statement yesterday, calling on the local leaders to respect the appointment of the new acting CEO.
Mr. Malabag says the former CEO, Dr. Polapoi Chalau’s term has expired, and that the appointment of Dr. Abraham for his replacement was a decision from the National Executive Council.
Mr. Malabag meanwhile, assured the local leaders that the issue on the appointment of the acting CEO will be urgently looked into.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=sGYuKv1Gf8E%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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