Some encouraging news for church health workers who have been fighting to be on equal conditions with those inthe public service.
A submission is before cabinet to increasetheir pay.
Health Minister Michael Malabag announced this duringthe opening ofthe 43rd National Conference ofthe Christian Health Services.
The annual conference is being held atthe HolidayInn Hotel in Port Moresby, attended by heads of church run hospitals and health institutions and ther health providers.
A taskforce comprising various stakeholders will be established to work on this change before it is implemented.
Medical Superintendent ofthe Kompiam District Hospital Dr David Mills while welcoming this news saidthe change will see church runned health facilities losing flexibility overtheir staff.
He is concerned thatthe staff will adoptthe public service attitude and will not work likethey used to.
He told Mr Malabag, whatever systemthe government opts to adopt to pay church employees;they should ensurethe churches still had control overtheir staff.
Minister Malabag acknowledged this concern and saidthe taskforce will address this and ther concerns before a final decision is made.
ther issues of importance faced bythe church health workers were also raised for the minister to take note.
Another notable concern wasthe use of low potency drugs in many health facilities andthe distribution of fake drugs.
Health officials present atthe conference saidthe department would soon purchase drug testing machines to testthe potency of drugs before it is dispensed.
The conference ends on Friday.
Ruth Rungula, National EMTV News
https://youtube.com/watch?v=SIg9BeMUsEk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
