New hospital authority to take control of management: Sir Puka

Health and HIV-AIDS Minister Sir Puka Temu says the new Oro (Northern) provincial health authority will take control of the Popondetta Hospital management.
He told The National that the Oro PHA board’s immediate task after being sworn in next week would be to appoint the chief executive.
“After the board is sworn in next week, their first meeting will be to appoint an acting CEO,” Sir Puka said.
“The PHA CEO will oversee the entire integrated system, no more separate hospital board and CEO.”
Sir Puka is expected to be in Popondetta next week where he will announce the Oro PHA and participate in the the swearing-in ceremony.
He has written to Governor Gary Juffa and was awaiting a response for the event next week.
In response to the current situation in Popondetta Hospital management, Sir Puka said services were snot affected as claimed.
According to the reports he received from hospital board chairman Cecil Siembo yesterday, staff were at work and only one nurse was going against the board. Sir Puka said the board was managing the situation on the ground
“The way forward was to formalise the PHA next week,” he said.
“Then the PHA board and the CEO will take charge.”
Sir Puka said current chief executive Dr Gunzee Gawin had charges to respond to so he was suspended on full pay.
“An acting CEO will be formalised through the Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore,” he said.