Hospital boss clarifies payment of K175,000

National

THE K175,000 paid to a consultant by the Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial Kundiawa General Hospital was made under the terms of a contract signed in 2016, says hospital chief executive Dr Harry Poka.
Poka was forced to explain the payment after concerns were raised.
He said the K175,000 was paid to the consultant based on the contract entered into by the hospital board and management and the consultant.
Poka said those questioning the payment were only trying to tarnish the good name of the hospital.
“The board which is the governing council of the hospital decided to engage a consultant to draft proposals and assist in securing PIP (Public Investment Programme) funding parked at the National Planning Department for hospital infrastructure development,” Poka said.
“And according to the contract, based on the funding secured under PIP, the consultant should be paid a five per cent commission for securing the funds.”
The contract was entered into on September 7, 2016.
“The hospital through the assistance of the consultant secured K3.5 million under PIP funding which we used to purchase the CT and MRI scan machines from Dubai, which are now at Lae Port awaiting payment of 10 per cent GST by the Treasury Department,” Poka said.
“Based on the contract agreement, five per cent of K3.5 million is K175,000 and that was paid to the consultant.”
He said a committee comprising officers from National Planning, Treasury, Health and Finance met regularly with hospital officials to discuss the funding, including the payment made to the consultant.