Prime Minister Peter O’Neill urged management boards of major hospitals inthe country to utilize public funds wisely.
He said this while addressing Goroka General Hospitaltaff and locals this week.
He said money meant for the up keep of hospitals is often diverted alongthe way, never reachingthe hospitals.
On tour atthe Goroka Hospital, he was updated onthe hospitals status by staff.
He was toldthe hospital faces space issues. Patients are discharged sooner thanthey should be, because ofthe lack of beds.
There are an inadequate number of nurses and doctors. According to hospital statisticsthe ratio is 20,000 patients to 1 nurse and 80,000 to one Doctor. That’s from a hospital that looks after a population of 600,000.
Goroka MP Bere Kimisopa has a heart for those inthe medical profession; he is a son of Doctor. He became emotional when he was speaking aboutthe hospital.
“Nurses and Doctors have a heart for the people, it is notthem that arethe problem&hellipthe problem isthe management,they arethe ones that destroythe image of hospitals aroundthe country, and Goroka is one ofthem,” Kimisopa said in an emotional tone.
Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso said six-million kina had been put aside for health in her provincial health budget. With a million already put aside for work onthe maternity ward ofthe provincial hospital. She also announced a futher funding of 600,000 kina for work on a cervical cancer wing.
“Many of our mthers are dying of cervix cancer;therefore, K600, 000 is being allocated for cancer treatment and feasibility study…Eastern Highlands must havetheir own cancer wing in Goroka Provincial Hospital,” she announced.
Beththe governor andthe Goroka MP pledged one-million kina each to fund accommodation for their doctors and nurses.
Whilethe Prime Minister took note of allthe issues ofthe hospital, he attributedthe shortfalls to poor managementolikewise with all major hospitals throughoutthe country.
“We are not managing our money well, that is why we are always running out of things,” said O’Neill.
“We must take charge of our destiny and life by proper management&hellipIn 2011 when I wasthe Treasurer, we directed funds to Goroka Hospital; in 2012, when we formulatedthe budgetowe gave in ten-million kina, in three years it is close to thirty-million kina,” added O’Neill.
“You have to ask, what have you done,” he said.
The Prime Minister was in Goroka as part of Covernant Daycelebrations and to officiate at various ground breaking ceremonies including for a new Catholic High School at Kami onthe outskirts of Goroka, andthe opening of a new market for the Ungai Bena people at Faniufa.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cfu_4qsQbG4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
previous post