Judge criticises Madang govt

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
A JUDGE has criticised the Madang provincial government for continuing to turn a blind eye on the unending administrative issues plaguing the Modilon General Hospital.
Judge David Cannings made his views known on the last day of the 2011 court session while presiding over administrative matters between the hospital management and staff.
Judge Cannings, visibly exasperated over the ongoing wrangle and the many orders to be made said: “I’ve been dealing with these for the last five years now. I’d like to wave the magic wand and say MGH everything is okay with you but the situation is crying out for mediation instead of this combative approach”.
He told Young Wadau, the counsel representing the hospital staff, that the dispute would not have gone this far if staff were advised to seek dispute resolutions.
 “You as a lawyer have a role to play which is counseling your clients,” Judge Cannings said.
Wadau said despite trying to get the staff and management to have talks, both sides were at loggerheads and held their own court resulting in the recent appointment process which saw many experienced and specialist doctors become unattached as well.
Staff have taken the hospital management to court over the legality of the appointment of the chief executive officer Sr Christine Gawi, among other outstanding awards and claims.