Sir Puka seeks to improve health indicators

Effective delivery of primary health care is fundamental to the success of the Papua New Guinea health system, says Minister for Health and HI-AIDS Sir Dr Puka Temu.
Speaking at the 8th Apec high-level meeting on health and economy at International Convention Centre yesterday, Sir Puka said it was also the cheapest approach to providing health security and improved health indicators for the entire community.
“This will only happen if people share a common vision of what can be achieved and the role they play in achieving this outcome,” Sir Puka said.
“This will only happen if people share a common vision of what can be achieved and the role they play in achieving this outcome.
“There is also considerable innovative work on inventory and supply management.
I am of the view that we need to start to explore the emerging application of block chain technologies to patient identification and primary health care records.
“I would be interested on where this approach might sit within the innovation agenda.”
Sir Puka said the best and brightest people in the health care system needed to be innovative and to identify how to improve delivery and management of primary health care services across the complex geography. “It seems to me that the issue of ensuring there is an effective primary health focus is underpinned by appropriate and innovative legislation and regulation,” he said.
“This is an often-overlooked area and, I admit, one that we have not focused on in recent years.
“I am, however, heartened that with support of our development and donor partners we are able to commence to review our frameworks and to develop some innovative and creative ways to regulate a number of areas.”
These include:

• Smoking regulations;
• Management and certification of health care professions;
• Pharmaceutical and medicine legislation; and
• Food and environmental services oversight.