Sir Puka says K226mil given to health for medicine supplies

By LUKE KAMA
HEALTH and HIV/AIDS Minister Sir Puka Temu says K266 million was allocated by the Government specifically for medicines and pharmaceutical supplies for public hospitals and health centres.
Sir Puka revealed this in Port Moresby last week when commissioning the first Medicines Quality Control Laboratory for testing the quality and standards of imported medicines and pharmaceutical supplies.
“On this occasion of commissioning the first laboratory for testing the quality and standards of medicinal products coming into the country, I am privileged to announce that we have just secured K266mil for medical supplies,” he said.
Sir Puka said the Government was committed to supporting health in the country.
“When I was the secretary for the Health Department, I would sit at the door of the Secretary for Finance and Treasury until they gave me the budget,” he said.
Sir Puka said building strong and vibrant institutions of the state was critical to building a strong and a vibrant nation.
“I think we need to strongly link our state institutions outside the country, beyond politics,” he said.
He said state institutions such as the new Medicine Quality Control Laboratory should seek accreditation from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“It should link to WHO. Not only that, it should also link with the PNG Institute of Medical Research and the Pharmaceutical School at the School of Medical and Health Science at the University of Papua New Guinea,” Sir Puka said.
“Those experts working here in the laboratory should be engaged as associate professors or associate lecturers lecturing students.
“Not only that but as well link with the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture medicines overseas which we import.”