Sir Michael calls for commitment in health work

SIR Michael Somare has encouraged the health sector to be committed in helping people, particularly those in the rural areas.
The grand chief and former prime minister was speaking at a fundraising dinner in Madang for September’s 54th Medical Symposium on Saturday.
“We have jumped from a population of 2.8 million at independence to around eight million people in less than 50 years,” Sir Michael said.
“Regretfully, the number of health practitioners have not increased proportionately to meet this huge demand for health services around the country.
“Since my retirement, I have been unwinding so have not focused my attention on any particular area of concern in our country. This is not to say that I am not concerned about the direction that we are heading as a people and a nation.
“The theme for this year’s symposium is rural health services. I could have given up politics long ago and said to myself it’s too hard, I could have said there are many young people today who know more than me and I have accomplished what I set out to do which was to give political power to our people. But I did not stop.
“And after 49 years I am pleased that I did not give up on the people of Papua New Guinea.
“In the same way many have chosen to be trained in the area of health. Whether you believed that God chose for you to be where you are or that it was a coincidence that you find yourself serving our people, you are here now and your purpose is fundamental to the progress and development of this nation.”
Sir Michael said the geography made managing this country a real challenge.
“A healthy population can better contribute to our prosperity and development as a people.”