Angau staff act after petition overlooked

 By PISAI GUMAR

ANGAU Memorial Hospital has scaled down its services because its administration and the Government failed to address a 10-point petition raised by staff.

The petition was handed to the hospital management after a staff protest over the sexual assault of rape of a female staff at East Taraka in Lae last February.

At a press conference, representatives of various union groups in the hospital accompanied PNG Nursing Association executive and Angau union president Steven Nawik to inform the Lae people that admissions would cease from next Monday.

“The administration failed (to address) our petition. 

“We received no response from them and provincial government since February (resulting in) a service to public being scaled down,” he said.

“All we need is for Health Minister Michael Malabag to come over and receive our petition, raise it with the National Executive Council to deliberate and find an amicable solution to the grievances of Angau nurses and doctors.”

Among issues raised in the 10-point petition are the rundown health facilities, accommodation for national doctors and nurses, provision of land to the hospital to build staff accommodation, incentives, verbal abuses, intimidation and threatening of nurses at the accident and emergency unit and children’s outpatient.

“Failure to address to the petition will result in a call for the change of administration and we are pursuing it now,”  Nawik said.

Most nurses and doctors reside with relatives in suburbs and settlements which became a security risk to night shift staff when they are dropped off at home or picked up.

“Services provided will include emergencies, inpatient care, delivery of babies and the mortuary,” he said. 

The petition was received by administrator Kemas Tomala and law and order chairman Peter Namus with 

copies distributed to the nine Morobe MPs and Governor Kelly Naru.