An order of the National Court restoring former board members of the Mendi General Hospital has been stayed by the Supreme Court this week.
Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika presiding as a single Supreme Court Judge on Thursday granted interim orders sought to Southern Highlands Governor William Powi and the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority.
Governor Powi and the SHPHA filed an application which was moved last Friday and granted yesterday, which stayed order on the decision of the Waigani National Court dated Nov 16.
The application was filed because there was confusion on the legal requirements regarding the establishment of the Provincial health Authority and the Hospital Board.
Sir Gibbs adjourned the matter to Feb 6, 2017 for further directions to be issued in relation to the case.
On Nov 16, the lower court granted an interim stay on the removal of members of the Mendi General Hospital board after leave was granted for a judicial review to be conducted.
With the former board temporarily restored to their former positions, Governor Powi and the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority moved an application last Friday before the Supreme Court seeking to stay the National Court’s decision.
Powi in his affidavit before the court stated that the provincial health authority was created by a different legislation which dealt with the provinces health affairs while Mendi Hospital Board is a different entity that deals with the affairs of the general hospital.