Malabag cites factors blocking delivery

 By EUNAR KARATU  
HEALTH Minister Michael Malabag has urged health professionals to ask critical questions why some provinces and hospitals are improving and doing better than the others.
Malabag, before officially opening the 23rd National Health Conference in Port Moresby yesterday, said a recent review of the  National Health Plan 2011-2020 found that despite implementation being progressed and some achievements gained, implementation was still slow.
“I understand that factors such as late disbursement of funds, our rugged terrain, a fragmented health system, gross shortage of manpower and other determinants of health added to the challenge of providing health services in PNG.
“This means that health leaders have to be smarter, strategic and resilient,” Malabag said.
“When I look over the period of my leadership in health, policy implementation was an area of concern that must be improved.
“We must critically think about what is keeping us from being effective public sector leaders, managers and officers and make necessary adjustments for the better.”
Malabag said investments and appropriations to health had been increased gradually over the years by the Government and other development partners.
“However, because those investments had not been translated to an improved health status, health service delivery had become a concern for the Government.
“I want to see our hospitals and health infrastructures improved,” he said.
“The Government in the last three years have been putting money for health facilities development and rehabilitation,” Malabag said.