Today’s parliamentary session saw Member for Anglimp South Waghi, Komun Joe Koim, asking the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Michael Malabag, about updates of the cancer machine at the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae.
He also asked about the cost to get a CT scan done.
Mr Koim said people from rural areas are travelling to urban centers like Port Moresby seeking medical assistance, with a number of them succumbing to their illnesses.
Minister Malabag responded that the machine has been non-operational for two weeks. Staff are trying to identify the problem.
He said a decision was made, asking the Health Department to hand over the management of the cancer unit to the Angau Memorial Hospital Board to manage as part of the hospital, as its everyday operations.
As a way forward, Minister Malabag said two additional cancer specialists are being recruited for Angau to expand the services currently available.
A Bachelor of Radio Therapy program is now being offered at the University of Technology, with a aim of providing more assistance to cancer patients in Lae.
Minister Malabag however admits that the government is looking at cost effective ways in addressing the problem in these tough economic times.
