Naipao defends doctors

By LULU MARK
DOCTORS serving in the public health system are committed to attending to patients, National Doctors Association (NDA) president Dr James Naipao says.
Dr Naipao, who is also the head of ear-nose and throat (ENT) clinic at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) said doctors were there but their numbers were small compared to the increasing population.
He stressed this following concerns from the public that doctors were not attending to patients.
“For doctors, dealing with patients is doctors business,” he said.
“Doctors are leaders in patients care from top down and bottom up.
“Everyone else bridges the gap in the health system.
“Doctors are trained to attend to patients. “
He said that public health service doctors can serve in private medical facilities as well.
“In the public health system, specialist doctors who have served the public health system for five years and more are allowed to do limited rights to private practice exclusively after hours when not on call,” he said.
“Our citizens opting for such service can be reached out.
“Specialist doctors who have not reached the regulation’s five years in the public health system, and registrars and resident medical officers are exclusively banned from doing limited rights to private practice.
“If this category of doctors are seen practising after hours then it is illegal.
“Pre-registration committee, medical board and hospitals where these doctors are employed can be reached out to audit their performance with decision made within its respective jurisdiction.”
Naipao said doctors at PMGH also worked after hours at private health facilities to ensure that the specialised level of care was available for people who chose to go to those facilities for their healthcare.