Our leaders should step up

BOTH dailies recently echoed the frustrations of Prime Minister James Marape during last Wednesday’s Parliament sitting in regard to the slackness of provincial health authorities (PHAs) around the country.
According to Marape, since last year, funds were allocated to the PHAs for preparations and plans to be drawn and submitted to cater for the Coronavirus’ (Covid-19) worst case scenarios.
This never eventuated.
The current outbreak and lack of facilities and resources at our major hospitals speak volumes of the PHAs’ sloppiness.
Tewae-Siassi MP Kobby Bomoreo also unleased his disappointment at the Morobe PHA when Etep Rural Hospital in Tewae-Siassi and Braun Rural Hospital in Finschhafen lately announced their scaling down of operations and eventually closing when Government funds were not received on time.
These two rural health facilities serve multitudes in the hinterlands and coastlines of northern Morobe.
They simply cannot scale down and close at the height of the third Covid-19 wave.
This is unthinkable.
The PHAs have ample time and funding to tie up loose ends to ensure all major hospitals are well prepared.
The channel of medicines and operational funds are unobstructed for ease of operations in rural hospitals and health centres.
Obviously, there is a hiccup somewhere.
It is a shame for the majority Morobe MPs, including the governor in this Pangu-led government with the slogan “Pangu save long rot” when Angau Memorial Hospital is in a big mess with respect to shortage of basic medications and the disordered Covid-19 operations.
The health centres throughout the province are facing many difficulties.
People in Morobe are now saying “Pangu Save Long Rot to a failing health system”.
Like all leaders throughout history who dream about greatness for their nations, they should have a whip in one hand to ensure their dreams come true.
Marape has to find a whip.

Kapi Lok