Hospital boss suspended

 By ZACHERY PER

Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority chief executive officer Lillian Siwi has been suspended and veteran surgeon Dr Leonard Kaupa will act in the position for  two weeks.

Health authority administrator Ken Wai effected the suspension and appointment in Goroka on Friday.

Wai confirmed that a it was a National Executive Council’s decision to appoint a new EHPHA board.

He said the new board was headed by former Eastern Highlands Governor Malcom Kela-Smith but did not disclose other members of the board.

Wai said Kaupa would only act in the position for two weeks pending the establishment of the full EHPHA board. 

The board will appoint a new CEO after the necessary formalisation.

He openly signed “not approved” on all the resignation letters staff submitted last week. 

The staff said they were fed up of working with poor equipment and under deteriorating conditions at the Goroka Provincial Hospital.

Wai urged doctors and sectional heads to list  the necessary items and equipment for purchasing.

He said a maintenance team would be in the  hospital soon to check on facilities.

“We are here to make sure all the wards are fully staffed and patients get the best care they deserve,” Wai said. 

“Doctors must take the lead in curative service and come down the line to Community Health Workers,” Wai said.

He urged the staff to bury the past and accept responsibility as the Government had taken steps to address the situation.

Wai said the suspended senior officers were reinstated.

Speaking on behalf of the staff, Dr Tony Sonson said the problems at the hospital had dragged on for too long.

Sonson demanded a bold decision from the management and urged them to resolve their issues.