Provinces still waiting for medical supplies, says doctor

PROVINCES are still waiting for the medical supplies from the Health Department in Port Moresby as they struggle to keep the health facilities open during this election period, a doctors says.
New Ireland health authority (NIPHA) chief executive officer Dr Penny Charles said the shortage in medical supplies was not affecting a particular region but the situation was a nationwide concern.
He said engaging the logistic contractor to move the supplies was the issue that had contributed to the delay.
“In New Ireland, we are still in emergency mode,” he said.
“All health facilities are depleted of essential critical lifesaving medication.
“Namatanai development authority is now assisting to source medicine for health facilities from private pharmacies.
“Kavieng hospital is still on emergency status since May.”
Dr Charles said the medicines that were bought were only for hospitalised cases while the outpatient cases were prescribed medicine and if not available, they were advised to source it from private pharmacies.
Deputy chair of the National Health Board of Papua New Guinea and chair of the West New Britain (WNB) health authority (PHA) Dr Mathias Sapuri said the medical supplies for the provinces were sitting at a warehouse in Gerehu, Port Moresby since January.
He called on the Health Department and the Government to approve a logistic company to move the medicines as PHAs were buying medicines from private suppliers.