Doc urges improved access to healthcare

 LIFTING the standards of health services by providing medical facilities is essential, a private hospital chief executive officer says.

It means providing specialist doctors and medical facilities including labor wards, outpatients wards, laboratories, dental and operating theatres, Dr Robin Sios said.

He is the chief executive officer of the Paradise Private Hospital in Port Moresby.

A group of  40 medical specialists from overseas will arrive in the country this week to provide consultancy in adult cardiology, orthopaedic and joint replacement, and nephorology (kidney treatment) from November 29 to December 3.

“Health care is important and people deserve proper facilities to get treatment,” Sios said.

He said the screening would assist patients to identify specific areas that upon consultation, proper medical advice could help to make referrals to help patients.

It is a partnership between the Fortis Healthcare, an integrated healthcare delivery provider in the Asia-Pacific region, with Paradise Private Hospital.

Fortis Healthcare representative Deepak Singh said Papua New Guinea had 85 per cent of its health care services cheaper than Australia and Philippines.

“Papua New Guinea is depending on the demand of how many specialist doctors are available 24 hours and seven days a week,” Singh said.

A consultation fee of K300 is to be paid before the screening process.

Sios thanked Fortis Healthcare for providing the medical treatment and Bank of South Pacific for funding assistance to patients.