PHA gets funds

THE Western Highlands health authority (WHPHA) received more than K1 million from the national government to continue its operations.
Chief executive officer David Vorst said yesterday that the Finance Department had deposited K1.069 million into the authority’s bank account yesterday afternoon to enable it to keep the Mt Hagen Hospital open.
Vorst said the money was equivalent to one month’s budget allocation and the authority anticipated a second amount to be released soon to cover the first two months of the year.
He said the money would be used to purchase drugs, reagents for the pathology department, fuel for standby generators, food rations for in-patients, pay short term contractors and meet other expenses.
Vorst said he was happy for the quick response from the Finance Department in releasing the funds.
“I want to thank the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong, acting secretary for Health Dr Paison Dakulala and deputy secretary for Treasury Gabriel Kaku and everyone else who had a part to play in the disbursement of the funds,” he said.
Vorst said they could now continue to provide services needed by the people not only in Western Highlands, but also by the people from the neighboring highlands provinces.
The hospital last Friday stopped all referrals from neighbouring provinces of Hela, Southern highlands, Enga, and Jiwaka. It also deferred elective surgery until funds become available.