Private practitioners capitalise on poor, weak health system

 IT seems that private hospitals are piggy-backing on the weak and poor public health system in PNG and making huge profits.
The public has a right to know this.
When the tax-paying public are being denied decent and quality care at  public hospitals, they turn to private practitioners and hospitals with the hope for a cure and lasting answers to their ailments.
Papua New Guineans are so tolerant of the ongoing weakness of our public health  system to address pressing issues such as the soaring rate of maternal child motility, cervical and breast cancer and so on.
A  recent  report  by  sources from the Health Department accusing a private  hospital  of  dispensing  outdated  drugs  to  patients  is  of  great concern.
The inspection report may have revealed incidences  of  erasing  or  cutting out expiry dates of medicines to conceal them from unsuspecting clients  who  desperately  seek medical care from these facilities.
The  Health Department needs to put in place standard measures that can be applicable at any level of practice – whether public or private – so that they are accountable to regulatory guidelines.
Any appointment into the medical or pharmaceutical board should be made based on merit without any vested interest or attachment to private practices.
All standards, rules and regulations  that are applicable should be disbursed and enforced in all health practices.
Certain regulatory measures should also  be  enforced  as a matter of urgency.
This country is going down the drain, just look at public hospital services. I  pray  that  when  I approach a private  clinic, I am treated without any bad intent by a practitioner.
Papua New Guineans should be raising their voice against ill-mannered  practice that can further destroy our health.
We, the public at large, need to know the truth.
 

Deeply concerned, Via email