Free health care policy is unrealistic

THE government’s impulsive an­nouncement for free health services is a dead trap for the PNG health sector.
 “Free” is a term most lazy Papua New Guineans would like to hear and so the government uses such nice words to entice people to fall prey into their political agendas.
We are only told that health ser­vices will be free but we are not yet told on how to make it free.
After 10 years in the health sector trying to support the health services delivery, I have discovered a lot of constraints that need long-term planning, commitment, and inter-sector participation.
I am very surprised this government wants to make health services free in less than six months before a new government is formed.
Can this free concept be sustained until 2050?
If so, I have yet to see the sustainability factor.
What exactly is the free concept focused on – medical supplies, technical or professional capacity, community engagements or what?
How will the accessibility issues for rural people be addressed?
What is the population ratio against established health facilities and professional or technical capa­cities?
Are people and health service providers informed of the advantages, disadvantages, risks and li­mitations of this concept?
Where does the government plan to model a pilot point before rolling out to all 89 districts of PNG?
There are so many questions and so much to do prior to implementing this.
Politicians must always remember that the process involved in delivering health care must always be considered in social, political, economic and physical contexts.
I cannot be easily convinced by this political junk that is mainly driven by a group of unsound, unprofessional and greedy people who think money is the key to health.
It is an unrealistic concept given the circumstance of development in Papua New Guinea.

RK
Adelaide