Independent body to investigate CEO

AN independent body has been assigned to investigate allegations levelled against Angau Memorial Hospital acting chief executive officer Grant Muddle by medical workers.
The union leaders comprising the National Doctors association, National Doctors association-Momase branch, Allied health workers, health workers support staff, National Nursing association, Community health workers association and Medical laboratory technical personnel stood united and called for the withdrawal of Muddle’s recent reappointment to a three-month term.
Lae MP John Rosso said the issues were sensitive and required an independent body to investigate allegations from both sides to find a way forward.
Rosso, Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, administrator Bart Ipambonj and Northern-end Assist Police Comm Peter Guinness met with union leaders last Wednesday.
Rosso said he had called on the Minister for Health and HIV-AIDS Jelta Wong to respond immediately and positively and advised him to sanction an independent body to investigate the allegations.
He said the independent investigating team travelled to Lae to look into the allegations over the Easter weekend.
The two officials from the Department of Health and the Department of Personnel Management met with union leaders.
A reliable source from the hospital confirmed the meeting had taken place and the two officers had returned to Port Moresby and would file a report.
Meanwhile, Rosso appealed to all medical staff in the province to focus on the task at hand which was being ready to address the Covid-19 threat as well as providing crucial healthcare to the people of Morobe.
“Let us think about our unfortunate and underprivileged people, let us think of their lives,” he said.
“I appeal to the medical workers that we need their support at this critical moment.”