The Papua New GuineaDefence Force will have its health facilities throughoutthe country adequately resourced with help fromthe National Department of Health.
A memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday to formally recognize this partnership betweenthe two organisations.
This will also pave way for quality delivery of health services tothe people.
The apparatus was signed atthe Papua New GuineaDefence force headquarters in Murray Barracks Port Moresby, by Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, Defence Secretary John Poti, andthe Commander Beigadier General Francis Agwi.
The Papua New GuineaDefence Force in recent years has lacked adequate medical drugs, equipment and specialty services.
“Withthe signing, we see thatthe Department of Health will be able to assist us in terms of medicine, specialist medical service that we may need fromthe health service,” said Beigadier General Francis Agwi.
It has also embarked on recruiting medical officers to alleviatethe shortage in medical staff.
Health Secretary Pascoe Kase reiteratedthe importance of such a partnership in reducingthe current health indicators inthe country, which is one ofthe worst inthe Pacific Region.
“We have our Public Private Partnership Policy for engagementowhther it’s a state agency orthe private sector to come in us deliver health services tothe people,” he said.
The Health sector is a key priority ofthe national governmentoand a funding of K120m has been budgeted for buying medicine.
With this influx of money,the Health Secretary has called on Health centers operating inthe country to register withthe National Health Department to benefit from this funding.
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