From the K50 million earmarked for district hospitals around the country, K21 million has been released.
Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said within the next two months the remaining balance will also be released to continue the work.
He said this when questioned by Ambunti-Dreikikir MP, Johnson Wapunai.
Wapunai asked Minister Maru on the status of the funding and when the funds might be released so that district hospitals can be upgraded to the prescribed Level Four.
“Has the Minister released money to the Department of Health? Number two, why has the program not started as stated? Number three, when will the District Hospital Program begin in our District?”
Minister Maru said K21 million has been released to begin the scope of work for the district hospitals.
“In the next two months I will complete releasing of the balance to make it K50 million,” he said.
“Work is now with the Health Department and their Minster as well as the members to sit down and finalize it and get the work done.”
Minister Maru said the plan to upgrade district hospitals will take time and will not be done overnight.
“I spoke to the Minister and advised him that let’s start with the district hospitals in the most remote locations where there is no road to the provincial centre and they are not served.
“This is part of the deliberate strategy to improve health service to rural areas,” said Maru.
(Filepic: Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru)