Quality of patient care in province drops

 THE quality of patient care in Eastern Highlands has drastically dropped, resulting in the downgrading of the Goroka provincial hospital from level 5 to level 2.

A workshop conducted by Dr Michael Dokup and Dr Dora Lenturut discussed national health standards by looking at facilities both public and church-managed.

Dokup said now that they had identified the bad health indicators, they would address them.

He said the message to the Provincial Health Authority, health workers and hospital staff was the need to improve the facilities.

The self-assessment survey of each health facility carried out by staff.

Church run facilities also presented their results showing similar difficulties and frustrations.

Dokup said manpower was lacking in the facilities and aging staff needed to be replaced. 

Dokup said there were communication problems where officers in rural facilities could not contact specialist doctors at Goroka Hospital. 

He said electricity and water supply to rural facilities needed attention. 

He said pregnant mothers were examined and had their babies in unsafe and unsterile conditions.

Babies are delivered using light from mobile phones, torches, kerosine lamps or candles.

The land issue was brought up because in some remote areas, landowners are still asking for compensation and land rentals.