Most aid money returns to Aust: Board

By GYNNIE KERO
NATIONAL Health Board deputy chairman Dr Mathias Sapuri hopes that Australia and Papua New Guinea will talk about the health sector during Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s visit to PNG this weekend.
Sapuri said despite all the assistance, PNG was not getting the maximum benefit from these programmes.
He said most of the money returned to Australia through high management costs and expensive consultants to run these programmes
“This is a long overdue visit and I am pleased that this happening now,” Sapuri said.
“Australia and PNG should a have a frank discussion about health sector AusAID programmes. We thank the Australian taxpayers for the aid in donor programmes but despite all the help, we not getting the maximum benefit from these programmes.
“Most of the money returns to Australia through 30 to 40 per cent of management and paying expensive consultants to run the programmes.
“I feel strongly that it is about time Australia and PNG stop these programmes and directly fund health infrastructures, upgrade facilities, fund a new cancer institute, upgrade specialist services with new facilities and train specialist overseas, fix the drug supply system and fix the rural health programmes.
“This visit also should address Manus refugees centre, assist PNG in sustainable agriculture development.”