The National Doctors Association (NDA) has given Prime Minister Peter O’Neill 21 days to respond to their three-part petition or they will protest and stop work.
The petition calls for O’Neill to step down and subject himself to the rule of law, fully re-allocate funds for the health sector (30 percent) and K50 million earmarked for Church Health Services, and immediately create mechanisms to recommence the academic year of the UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
NDA secretary, Dr Sam Yockopua, told Loop PNG that the petition was submitted to the Prime Minister last Friday (July 15).
“It lapses on Thursday, August 4, 4.06pm,” he stated.
“All of the three must be achieved. In the event that the PM is voted out this Friday, part 1 of the petition will be effectively rendered useless.
“We will use the remainder of 14 days and pressure the new Government to respond to parts 2 and 3 of the petition.”
However, Dr Yockopua says in the event that O’Neill successfully retains the PM’s seat after Friday’s parliament sitting, and does not respond to their petition, then they will walk off their posts.
Yockopua adds that the NDA is fully supported by the Papua New Guinea Nurses Association, Community Health Workers Union, Allied Health Workers Association, PNG Health Support Workers Association, Health Extensions Officers Association, Medical Laboratory Technicians Association and Health Inspectors Association.
(The Accident & Emergency area at the Port Moresby General Hospital.)