Committee established to review supply

THE Public Accounts Committee review into medical supply and distribution recommendations will be reviewed by a steering committee that was established recently, Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong says.
Wong said timely procurement and distribution of medical supplies to all health facilities was of critical importance, especially in managing a pandemic in Papua New Guinea
He said the steering committee chaired by the secretary of Health (Dr Osborne Liko), including members from each of the central government agencies would also review the “agility report” commissioned to recommend and design an affordable and sustainable medical supplies and procurement and distribution system in PNG.
“A National Executive Council submission will be drafted that will make recommendations to fundamentally redesign medical supply procurement and distribution for Government consideration,” Wong said.
“The funding allocated to medical supplies for 2021 is K119 million (which is) half of what is required.
“I have requested for additional funding of K124 million to procure 100 per cent medical kits and the remaining medical supplies required for 2021.
“In addition, my ministry is trying to manage K32 million in arrears from 2020.
“We simply cannot provide the services needed without its medical supplies.”
Wong said while the system to procure, supply and distribute medical supplies in PNG had its weaknesses and challenges, these were being identified, addressed and managed.