Officers to be reinstated

 By LEAH OMAE

Health Minister Michael Malabag has written to the Eastern Highlands Health Authority instructing its board to the reinstate terminated officers, including acting hospital manager Dr Francis Wandi.

Malabag gave the directive based on the committee of inquiry report.

The committee was appointed to look into whether there had been a breakdown in the administration of the Eastern Highlands Health Provincial Authority, or if the authority was failing to provide an efficient health service.

The committee carried out investigations in Goroka from Jan 22-24 but did not find any breakdowns in administration.

“Efficiency of service delivery could not be determined due to insufficient information, it said. 

“The board was properly constituted and had been performing its functions according to its  mandate under the Provincial Health Authorities Act, 2007.

“However, it was evident that there was a breakdown in the working relationship between the authority, senior executive management and acting hospital manager. 

“The acting hospital manager led a number of walk-outs and other actions, showing that there was insubordination. The walk-outs were interpreted to be a strike and led to staff being terminated under  Public Service Management Act by the chief executive officer but without any relevant investigation.”

 The inquiry found that there was an issue relating to doctors’ domestic market allowance payments and the job description of the director of curative health and the hospital manager’s positions.