Medics urged to return

 By ZACHERY PER

DOCTORS and nurses at the Goroka Provincial Hospital who resigned this week have been urged to return to work because their grievances are being addressed.

Ken Wai, who was recently appointed by Cabinet as administrator following the fallout between the hospital management and staff, said he was already getting the hospital back on track.

“I will not accept the resignations because I have already put measures in place to buy new equipment for each section and clean up the hospital, restoring it to its former state,” he said.

Wai said there was no reason for the doctors and nurses to resign.

“They must all go back to work as steps are being taken to address the problems facing the hospital,” he said.

“I have talked to Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso and Goroka MP Bire Kimisopa and we are working together. 

“Things will not happen overnight. By next week, a new Provincial Health Authority board will be in place. 

“I agree that the hospital is run-down. We have started to clean up the mess section by section and will attend to the needs of each doctor.”

He has instructed hospital chief executive officer Lillian Siwi to immediately reinstate officers who had been terminated. They include hospital manager Dr Francis Wandi, senior staff Forereme Marerime, Allied Health Union leader John Kale, Nelson Abu and Barnabas Pipike. 

“I directed for immediate withdrawal of court restraining order the management took against the staff,” he said. 

“We will start restoring services at the hospital within the next two weeks. We have K8 million to restore the hospital services.”

Siwi confirmed receiving 41 resignation letters and had passed them on to Wai. She said some withdrew their resignations yesterday.