China vows to support PNG health sector

THE Chinese government will continue to provide much needed assistance to improve PNG’s health sector.
Outgoing China ambassador to PNG Wei Ruixing said he was encouraged by what he saw in the development of public health in the past four years.
“I will discuss with my predecessor to ensure that our medical teams continue to support PNG  hospitals,” he said at an agreement signing to provide medical support for PNG last week.
The signing concluded Mr Wei’s official duty in PNG.
Mr Wei assured Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Sasa Zibe that Chinese medical teams would continue to come to PNG to provide medical services.
Four teams, comprising of eight specialist doctors, from China have worked at the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGH) since April 2002 after the agreement was first signed between the two governments.
The teams are made up of a cardiologist, neuro surgeon, dental surgeon, acupuncture specialist, an oncologist, pathologist, obstetrician and a gynaecologist.
“The inclusion of the these teams over the past eight years at the nation’s premier referral and teaching hospital has been invaluable to the people of PNG, particularly those from the Central province and the National Capital District,” Mr Zibe said.
“I want this to be included in the National Health Plan (2011-20) as it will also help to improve the health indicators of the country.
“PNG will soon see the launching of the National Health Plan. The focus of this new plan is to strengthen primary health care and to improve service delivery to the rural majority and urban poor.
“The department will also like to further develop the existing agreement and programme to one that gives PNG clinicians an opportunity to do job attachments in hospitals in China.
“This will enable our clinicians to be exposed to some of the latest medial practices and diagnostic and treatment equipment,” he said.
Mr Zibe noted the suggestion by the fourth medical team to visit other provinces once or twice year.