State now runs suburban hospital, city residents told

 A SENIOR health official has reminded residents of Port Moresby that the Gerehu Hospital is no longer under the management of the St John Ambulance.

National Capital District health services adviser Dr Gary Ou’u said as of October 1 last year, the health service took over the management.

It has since placed a caretaker management to run the hospital.

“The caretaker management consists of a caretaker manager, coordinator nursing, medical and corporate services under the NCD health service,” he said.

He said the Gerehu clinic was declared a general hospital for NCD last August by Cabinet.

It was awarded public hospital status under the Hospital Act of 1994.

“Under that Act, the hospital will have a board of management with nine members,” Ou’u said.

“Those members are representatives from churches, women’s organisations, and staff of the hospital, three from industry and the private sector and two from the community. 

“We are waiting for the nominations of the members and submissions to be approved by Cabinet.

“Once the board members are approved, they will then approve the top structure to run the hospital.” He said the arrangements would not happen overnight.

“Once the processes are put in place, mechanisms can be established and the health department is responsible for the changes happening.”