Health authorities told to handle problems accordingly

HEALTH secretary Pascoe Kase has called on the board and management of provincial Health authorities to manage within their powers entrusted by the law.
Kase, pictured, was responding to questions about the situation at the Popondetta hospital where there were reports of reduced staff numbers at work affecting the services.
He said provincial health authorities were autonomous entities set up under the provincial health authority’s Act.
“They have a board and an appointed chief executive officer and management team to manage the affairs of the PHA.
It is understood that the services to the hospital were not up to standard as most staff had left and those currently working were not fully attending to patients.
Kase said Northern was in transition with the new PHA board and its management team was taking on new responsibilities.
He urged health workers in Popondetta to focus on their roles and give the new provincial health authority officials the chance to carry out their duties.
Kase said there were issues at the hospital and staff took sides and caused problems which hindered services to the public.
The Popondetta Hospital and the rural health services were recently merged to facilitate the establishment of the provincial health authority in December.
It became the 12th province to have its health authority established.