Director denies claims

 THE Modilon General Hospital in Madang is waiting for the appointment of a specialist in its intensive care unit (ICU) before it opens.

Director corporate services Albert Sika said equipment for the unit had been purchased but they were waiting for the positions of ICU specialist to be filled. 

He said the positions would be filled in two weeks but did not allow pictures of the ICU equipment to be taken.

He was responding to claims by hospital staff that negligence by management was affecting health care services at the hospital.

A hospital worker, who requested anonymity, said the unit was still closed and blamed it on poor management.

“Most ICU nurses left the hospital because of bad management practices and differences with the management on its operation,” the worker said.

The worker said the unit needed life-saving equipment to reopen.

Various departments, including rural health outreach, request for funds for their operations but have been told there was “no money”.

“There is money for all the travelling the management is doing. Why is there no money to fund the basic things that will improve health care?” the worker asked.

The source said the closure of the unit was also denying training for nurses and health officers on how to manage patients in emergency situations.