The Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority Board has been suspended indefinitely yesterday by Health Minister, Michael Malabag, and a new caretaker board has been appointed.
Also known as the Administrator, the caretaker will take charge of the authority pending the completion of an inquiry into the board.
This follows the ongoing strike by the health workers of Mt Hagen General Hospital.
The Health Minister, Michael Malabag, made this announcement in Parliament, after a Question without Notice was asked by Dei MP, Westly Nukundj.
“Mr Speaker, how far is the Health Minister gone into addressing the issue?” asked Nukundj.
“Can the Minister intervene, so that the projects continue to progress?”
The Minister responded saying that the strike by health workers is complex and ongoing, and the only option to take was to suspend the board, as was demanded by the health workers.
This week’s strike is the third time that health workers at Mt Hagen General Hospital walked off their jobs, expressing their frustration on certain issues that have not been addressed by the Board.
Minister Malabag said investigations into the board are underway and will be completed soon.
The Minister has instructed the Health Secretary, Pascoe Kase, to impose disciplinary action on the two union doctors involved in the strike.
