700 Morobe health vacancies

THE Morobe health authority has more than 700 vacant positions to be filled since the amalgamation of Angau Memorial Hospital with public health.
Public health director Kelly Mesere said they had more than 700 funded vacant positions and were working with Department of Personal Management to recruit personnel.
“And it’s taking us quite some time,”he said.
“So far, we have been advised by the department that we are able to recruit 300 to 400 people within the funded positions.
“We’ll be focused on Angau’s staffing due to the redevelopment.
“We want to equip Lae because the burden of population is concentrated here.
“We’re looking at other new facilities that we have developed like Bulolo, Mutzing, Tent City and West Taraka.
“These are out priority areas.”
Mesere said they had not forgotten the remote areas, which they recruit to fill up the gaps. “We’re advised to only recruit between 300 and 400 positions first,”he said.
“We hope to eventually recruit the rest.
“There are 200 vacant positions at the hospital and about 500 in public health space.
“We would like to see all our funded positions filled but it depends on the Departments of Finance, Treasury and Personnel Management.”
Mesere said this at the review of provincial health.
Curative health director Dr Steven James said they were doing the review biannually due to funding issues.
“It’s a public health review,”he said.
“Most of our reviews were funded by donor partners.
“World Vision funded this review.
“All district health managers, key important stakeholders and partners come together and review programmes, difficulties and challenges.
“Then we discuss collectively on recommendations and find solutions.”