Doctors plan sit-in protest

 By ZACHERY PER

DOCTORS in Eastern Highlands will stage a sit-in protest today over deteriorating clinical services at the Goroka Base Hospital.

The 33 doctors of the Goroka and Kainantu hospitals are members of the National Doctors Association (NDA).

President of the NDA Goroka branch Dr Francis Wandi confirmed the protest yesterday.

He said the two hospitals, under the administration of the Provincial Health Authority (PHA), had experienced the deterioration of clinical services resulting in an increase in deaths and sub-standard practices in patient care.

Wandi said the hospital staff had raised the concern in February this year with the PHA, which was also brought to the attention of Health Minister Michael Malabag. 

However, nothing had been done to improve the hospital’s clinical services and facilities.

“The doctors cannot perform their professional duties when the much needed equipment and facilities are lacking,” he said.

Wandi said the prolonged closure of the operating theatre, inconsistent water supply, poor laboratory operation, poor state of instruments and equipment and no blood bank for operations had contributed to the current situation at the hospital.

“Major operating cases are cancelled, no elective operations are performed and staff and patients lives are at risk during referrals to Kundiawa hospital in Chimbu province,” he said.

“Specialist doctors are risking their professional careers by practicing in sub-standard environment.

“As doctors of the hospital, we realised that clinical services have gone from bad to worse, we gathered as union members to go for an indefinite sit-in protest, starting tomorrow (today).

“We cannot allow this to continue and call on the public to look after their health,” he said.