CHS staff put on govt payroll

By LULU MARK
CHRISTIAN health service (CHS) workers serving under some of the most trying conditions are relieved that their cries have finally been heard with their inclusion in the Government’s Alesco payroll system.
The Government payroll rollout for the workforce was launched yesterday in Port Moresby on the third day of the CHS 52nd general assembly where more than 250 representatives from the churches gathered.
The secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council Ivan Pomaleu officiated in the launching on behalf of Prime Minister James Marape and Health secretary Dr Osborne Liko and representatives from the Health Department and Personnel Management were present.
Dr Liko said the first 361 CHS staff would be on the payroll this pay week and the rest would follow.
According to CHS chairman Japalis Kaiok, the maximum was 2,000 and with the new structure it would go up to 5,000 to cover the church health workforce in the country.
Pomaleu said it was not easy to get to this stage as a lot of consultations and preparations were made.
“For the first time we can guarantee the regularity of an income,” he said.
“Government makes laws and policies and sets directions, but often it is you who turn these policies into reality by delivering the health services that are most needed by our people.
“Often your hands are the only hands that actually touch the lives of our people in PNG. Despite the hardships, the challenges, the lack of attention and the risks you are facing on a daily basis, you have continued to serve the most remote parts of this country relentlessly.
“The country’s health is not making a lot of progress and it won’t be unless we are able to empower the church health workers and support them.
“The leadership of this country is behind it.”