Hospital to drive projects

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE Port Moresby General Hospital is set to implement its plans and projects next year with K10.5 million funding made available.
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jamie Maxtone-Graham said from a supplementary budget allocation of K21 million for hospitals, the capital city hospital got K4 million.  An extra K6.5 million will be used to carry out its plans and initiatives.
He said money was the main problem the hospital faced.
Maxtone-Graham warned the board to refrain from corrupt practices.
Two plans to be developed under the National Health Plan are the Clinical Service Development Plan 2011-20 and Strategic Implementation Plan. The plans will be launched next month.
He said the hospital should improve infrastructure, consumables and human resource.
He emphasised the development of a Wellness Clinic within the hospital to look after general health checks for ordinary citizens. 
Hospital chief executive officer Sam Vegogo said it would be arranged and managed by the local health authorities because it was an exercise in awareness and education of basic health.
Yesterday, Dadi Toka Junior was sworn-in as chairman of the hospital board by Magistrate Fred Tomo along with deputy director of Nursing Sr Carol Hosea Bran as staff representative and Digicel PNG Ltd chief executive officer John Mangos as board member.   
The hospital has been without a full board since 2009 after the death of then chairman Sir Brian Bell and the resignation of former members.
The three join board members Rahe Rau Maraki as deputy chairman, Kathy Johnston, Robin Yanopa, Sose Tamarua, Rev  Sommy Setu and Dr Sylvester Kotapu.