Malabag calls for action

 By SONIA KENU 

MINISTER for Health and HIV Michael Malabag says Papua New Guinea will continue to host ground-breaking ceremonies and launch plans and projects but to see these plans being implemented remains a major concern. 

Malabag said this at the launching of the National Health Department’s Corporate Plan (2013-2015) last Friday. 

“It is now time for implementation, health is everybody’s business but it is your role as health professionals to lead and facilitate the path to success,” he told staff of the Health Department. 

“I am pleased to see that this new plan focuses on the government’s key priorities, and welcome its commitment to good governance and enhancing partnerships with stakeholders. 

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, said the plan had been developed in response to the government’s reform agenda and the need to ensure its leadership and management framework were in line with international best practice.

“The major priority focus areas for the health sector and the plan for the period 2013 to 2015 are: 

• Implement the free primary health care and subsidised specialist services;
• rollout health reforms of provincial health authorities and improve governance and service delivery;
• improve medical supplies distribution system; 
• strengthen support to church health services;
• develop and implement health workforce plan; and, 
• Improve health infrastructure. 

“For the first time the plan brings together the legal mandate of the department, our priorities to the national health plan and health sector strategic priorities.”