Province finds rapid drop in quality of patient care

 By ZACHERY PER

THE quality of patient care in Eastern Highlands has drastically dropped, taking down the level of the Goroka Provincial Hospital from five to  two with it.

A self-assessment survey of each facility in the province was revealed at a weeklong workshop in Goroka last week that they badly needed an overhaul of facilities.

The workshop conducted by ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist Dr Michael Dokup and Dr Dora Lenturut (chief radiologist) was based on national health standards looking at each facility managed publicly and by the church.

He said they drew the conclusion as they now knew where they stood.

Dokup said the message was for the Provincial Health Authority (EHPHA) management to push the health workers, including doctors, nurses and other staff, to do more to improve the facilities.

The survey of each health facility in the province was carried out by their respective officer-in-charge.

 Church-run facilities presented their results showing similar difficulties and frustrations like their government counterparts. Both revealed many years of neglect by responsible authorities.

Dokup said manpower was lacking in all facilities where ageing staff members needed to be retrenched and replaced.

He said health standard protocols and procedures had deteriorated in the facilities. Dokup said there were communication problems in all the facilities.

He said electricity and water supply to rural facilities needed attention and pregnant mothers were examined and had their babies delivered in unsafe conditions. Babies are delivered under mob phone, torch, kerosine lamps and candle lights.

Dokup stated that land issues persisted in some remote areas where local landowners were asking for compensation and land rentals and access to vital logistics such as vehicles and air transport support was lacking from the top.

Dokup called on the EHPHA managment to seriously address the problems affecting Kainantu and Okapa Rural Hospitals. 

He said the Goroka Provincial Hospital condition was deplorable and totally unacceptable.

“There must to be a hospital management overhaul and the facility must be fully re-equipped, renovated, repaired and rebuilt to its former glory days,” hew said.

A final summary report will be compiled and given to NDoH, the EHPG and EHPHA to guide them in their budgetary planning.