MP: There is a total breakdown

By LULU MARK
POOR management of the provincial health authority (PHA) is affecting health service delivery in Eastern Highlands which needs the Government and Health Department intervention soon, Unggai-Bena MP Benny Allen says.
Allen said Eastern Highlands needed a new PHA board and chief executive officer (CEO) because the current office holders’ term had lapsed and they had been in office for several terms.
“There is no proper coordination and collaboration between the health authority and the districts,” he told Parliament on Friday.
“There is a serious problem – a total breakdown.
“I have tried to get a letter from the health authority CEO to support me to write to the Health minister to get district health funding, but, to date, I have not received it.
“My district administrator also tried without success.
“Specialists, including physicians and surgeons who have been serving Eastern Highlands for many years have left the province or gone into private practice.
“Goroka Hospital was once a referral hospital but now has been referring patients to Kundiawa in Chimbu and Mt Hagen in Western Highlands.
“I want to put on record that a lot of patients have died because of shortage of drugs.”
Allen said the health authority had bought eight land cruisers for the districts to use as ambulance, but instead, was used by officials as private vehicles, yet, the funding that was supposed to go to the district from the authority was deducted.
He said health services in the province had hit an all-time low because of the current PHA management which the Goroka Hospital staff and health workers had protested against several times.
Allen urged the Government and Health Department to take heed of the cry of the people.