K30mil given for Angau cancer unit

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
MINISTER for National Planning Richard Maru has confirmed that K30 million has already been allocated from the National Government to build the Angau Hospital Cancer Unit.
The PNG National Cancer Centre is under the Angau Memorial General Hospital and is the only specialist cancer treatment facility in PNG.
Maru, during his recent visit to Lae last Friday, said: “We are the first government that has actually allocated money for the cancer unit, and further allocation will be done this year.
“In the coming weeks or so, I will be visiting the cancer unit to see what they have done with the money.”
He added that he would also be meeting with the hospital board and management during his visit for a progress report.
“We need to get it done.”
PNG became a member state of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 2012.
IAEA sets the rules for the global movement of radiation sources.
Maru said the national government is expecting the Radiation Control Bill to go to parliament in the next session “and we are all going support it and make it happen, so that we can bring in the technology and help our suffering family members.”
Health Minister Sir Puka Temu said the National Executive Council has given drafting instructions in November last year for a regulatory framework.
“Once the First Legislative Council (FLC) drafts the bill, it will come back to NEC and then to Parliament, we hope to present it in the next Parliament sitting,” he said.
“Being a member of the IAEA we must have a legislative framework before we are allowed to transport radiation items like cobalt.”
“We are now working on a partnership with interested private health care providers to provide cancer experts and right equipment.”