Govt gives K7 million to doctors

The Government has allocated K7 million to settle the National Doctors’ Association (NDA) outstanding rentals, insurance and awards for those lecturing at the University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
This was according to Health Secretary Pascoe Kase,when responding to a query by The National about recent concerns expressed by the association.
Kase explained that the association’s issue had been addressed and the government had allocated funds to cover rental, insurance and medical academic awards for lecturing at the UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The government paid:

•  K5 million for outstanding rentals;
•  K1 million for doctors’ health insurance premiums; and,
• K1 million for medical academic awards for doctors lecturing at the University of PNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
  “The operations for doctors were normal, no doctors went on strike or anything but they have only given the notice to us, these have been settled now,” Kase said.
  NDA secretary Sam Yockpua said the association was aware of the funds received.
  “Doctors are not locked out and it is good for us,” he said.
  Yockpua said most of the rentals will be paid and others will be paid over a course of time but everything would be settled now.
  He said the Health Department would facilitate the money into rental, insurance and academic awards.
  He said K3 million was needed for health insurance and that only K1 million was paid.
  He said medical symposium in Madang this week might be affected as hospitals were still faced with financial constraints and some doctors might not be able to attend.