Minister slams use of grants

 MINISTER for Health and HIV/AIDS Michael Malabag has appealed to provincial governments to use health grants allocated in the provincial support improvement programme (PSIP) in health programmes. 

Malabag was responding to media reports that Jiwaka diverted K2 million in health grants to education.

“Health and education are two government priorities that demand the provincial governments to implement at their levels accordingly,” he said. 

“The health statistics, issues and challenges that have incurred and portrayed at the national and international scene have their roots traced back to the provinces and districts on how resources are distributed and managed,” Malabag said.

“With respect to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments, I am appealing to the provinces to leave the 6% health grants in the PSIP and DSIP for funding of health infrastructure and maintenance,” he said.

“However, I am grateful to neighbouring provinces of Enga, Western Highlands, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands that have invested health grants respectively in maintaining health infrastructure,” Malabag said.

“Support at the provincial and district levels can result in the effective delivery of health care services to the people.

“In health, we have shared responsibilities and the government at all levels should uphold the functions in maintaining and protecting the health of our people and children respectively.”