The National Government has decided to bring in a number of overseas Doctors and Nurses bythe end of this year or early next to off-set what it’says, an acute shortage in Papua New Guinea
Mostthe nurses will come fromthe Philippines.
“I’m looking atthe end of this year because we have to arrest those problems –the soonerthe better,” says Health Minister Michael Malabag.
Poor healthy population creates a major economic and social drawback that is whythe government wants to improver that and has placed HEALTH a priority.
“That is something thatthe government has strongly embarked on to makethe health care better available for our people,” says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Atthe base,the government has introduced free primary health care, and moving up, some major decisions have been made to redevelop and revitalise major hospitals as a referral as well asthe national trauma treatment centre.
These are important butthey alone don’t treatthe sick nor save lives. There must be health workers, doctors and nurses, and specialists to ensure that now and whenthe big hospitals are completed.
The governmenttherefore needs to do something quickly.
The Health Minister is aware of a similar proposal made some years back whenthethen Health minister Sire Peter Berter mootedthe concept of bringing in Cuban Doctors.
The reaction from Papua New Guineaworkers ofthe same had been mixed.
The government today is aware thatthe new arrangement will not be accepted with open arms.
The important message here is thatthe overseas doctors and nurses are not coming to Papua New Guineato take over but rtherthey are here to improver our capacity and atthe same time impart knowledge and skills.
This will have to be done now as our training institutions in health are primed to ensure continuity whenthese people live.
Pictured: Health Minister Michael Malabag.
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