Return to work, staff told

 By ZACHERY PER

EASTERN Highlands Governor Julie Soso has called on staff of the Goroka Hospital who walked out of their jobs to return to work.

She welcomed the decision by Health Minister Michael Malabag to suspend the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority board and management and to conduct an inquiry into the hospital management.

“The lives of the people of Eastern Highlands are very important. 

“I urge all the staff to return to work to save lives,” she said.

Soso had earlier asked the authority’s board to reinstate hospital manager Dr Francis Wandi and other senior officers. 

She said there were steps to follow to discipline officers which were by-passed.

“I am happy that the Health Minister has intervened to suspend PHA and order an inquiry,” Soso said.

Authority chief executive officer Lillian Siwi welcomed the inquiry as well.

She said every business conducted by the authority were in compliance with the board’s decisions.

Siwi said there were no deaths reported at the hospital during the staff protest.

The protesting staff members were restrained by a court order from conduct meetings.