Dept committed to working with churches

THE Health Department is committed to working with churches, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to improve the health of people, secretary Pascoe Kase says.
He said churches played an important role in health services delivery in Papua New Guinea, especially in the rural areas.
“It is important to work with the churches and other partners to deliver health services,” Kase told last week’s national health conference.
“We have to be accountable for the resources we use and report on performances outcomes.”
Kase said the department would continue to ensure budget gaps were addressed for the Christian Health Services (CHS).
“This month we will sign a memorandum of understanding between CHS and the Government,” Kase said.
He said in the past the Health Department had achieved many milestones but the challenges remained.
“We are in an environment where funding presents our most significant challenge but this is unlikely to change in the short term,” Kase said.
“This means we need to maximise the funds we have available and approach our problems with fresh eyes looking for new possibilities and new ways of doing things.”
Kase said the health plan 2011-2020 was a guiding document with emphasis on primary health care for all and service delivery to the rural majority and urban disadvantaged.
“I must remind all health leaders of our duties to manage resources under our control according to set policies and guidelines under the Public Finances Management Act to ensure that these resources were not misused,” Kase said.