Kase: Make working environment attractive

 By GABRIEL FITO

THE new board of the Wewak General Hospital has been challenged to make it attractive for the doctors and nurses to continue working at the hospital.

During the swearing-in of the board, health secretary Pascoe Kase said he was critical about the shortage of doctors and nurses.

He blamed the closure of several nursing schools, including the one in Wewak some 17 years ago, for the fall in numbers. 

He urged the hospital to use its own initiative to recruit retired officers to fill the gap as it had been cleared by the Department of Personal Management to do so.

“I would also encourage the provincial government to take ownership of the hospital and work with its management to improve the living conditions for our workers,” he said.

“The board would provide oversight for the management. Therefore, the management would need your expertise to help the hospital improve.”

Hospital board chairman Allan Bird assured the doctors and nurses that it was there to help the hospital.

“We understand that you are the front-liners in the delivery of health services.  I am now making a commitment for us to help improve your welfare so that you solve our peoples’ health problems.

“I am making a commitment to use our influence in the government and private sector to strengthen the management so that we do something different. We want to work together with you and move the hospital forward. Nothing is impossible,” Bird said.