Health dept unprepared to roll out free healthcare

 MY previous letter highlighted the lack of action by Health Minister Michael Malabag. 

The fact that he is all talk and boast but no action were highlighted by a Modilon Hospital board report (The National, Mar 4). 

The full context was not published but the public and the minister can see the gist of the report.

It reveals how disorganised and unprepared his ministry and department have been in the lead-up to the introduction of the free health policy. 

It has come into effect, but is not yet implemented by most hospitals in the country. 

This is supposed to be the biggest health project in this five-year term of the government, which has been in office for nearly two years, and yet hardly anything has been done about it. 

The health department seems to have just started doing something – at implementation time. 

It is a poor reflection on the minister and his health department. 

The Modilon Hospital is having problems with patients because it does  not know the implementation of the free healthcare as nothing has been communicated to it. 

The minister and the health department should come out and explain to the people as they are mandated by them and are using the people’s money to provide services. 

Another woeful act in the health sector is the acute shortage of staff at the Port Moresby Public Hospital (The National, March 3). 

What are you doing to the health sector, Mr Malabag?

Josephine Joan

Port Moresby