Kapavore reminds board of responsibility to people

By ROSELYN ELLISON
THE East New Britain Health Authority (ENBPHA) board is responsible for health facilities in the urban and rural areas of the entire province, member for Pomio Elias Kapavore has said.
The MP made the comments during a presentation of K15 million to members of the provincial health board at the Nonga Base Hospital last Wednesday.
Minister for Health Dr Lino Tom presented the funding in the presence of local MPs and Governor Michael Marum.
Kapavore, who is also the chairman of the special parliamentary committee on health matters, told the board chairman Nick Lyons, chief executive officer Dr Ako Yap and their members that they were in office to deliver health services not only to the urban areas but also to remote parts such as Pomio and the Baining ranges.
“Health is an ongoing concern for all of us. We need to create that partnership with the Government.
“Money is not an issue. You can see that every year, the Government is increasing funding for the provincial authorities and the national department. That is because health is one of the priority areas that the National Government is focused on,” Kapavore said.
“The issue is not about getting the money, it is how we use the money based on our priorities, committing funds and making sure the funds are spent on health projects and development.”
He said Pomio was building a level four district hospital and assured that when it’s completed, people would not travel to Kokopo or Rabaul to look for health care services.
He said as chairman of the special parliamentary committee, he did not receive annual health reports from East New Britain and urged members to give their reports to the provincial executive council and the governor for presentation to parliament.
“I have not received any reports for last year, supposedly to be given to the chairman for health in the PEC and he would present the report in the assembly so we can know the current health status and what issues they are facing,” he said.
Kapavore said in order for health service to progress, it was important for the annual reports. Therefore he urged the ENBPHA board chairman and CEO to fast-track and document the report for the last year and present it to the PEC health chairman as soon as possible.
“For the past nine years since 2015, I have been attending provincial assembly meetings and I had never seen health chairman of the PEC presenting reports in assembly meetings,” said Kapavore.
Kapavore said under one of the sections of the Provincial Health Authority Act, it is clearly stated that when PHAs do the annual reports they must present the report to the governor and the Minister for Health.