Dr Puka Temu

​Less access to healthcare for rural people

Our people are subjected to higher risks of contracting diseases and less access to quality healthcare.

Health Minister, Dr Puka Temu, said this during the opening of the new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences lecture building at the Divine Word University in Madang.

“Through the government strategic plan and investment in higher education like DWU, we hope to enhance the health care delivery in remote areas of this land.”

Temu opens new faculty building

This was stated by the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Dr Puka Temu during the opening of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences lecture building at the Divine Word University in Madang Province.

In his opening remarks, Dr Temu said educating people enables them to obtain safer jobs, increased health literacy, take preventative healthcare measures, avoid riskier health behaviours and demand better quality health services.

“This is particularly the case for women living in our country, from girls entering youth to pregnant mothers.”

Health Minister restricts media access

In a circular number 66/2017 dated on August 15, 2017, Sir Puka said recent media statements released by health officials have created fear amongst the community.

He said such statements have not been reported out of proportion without careful thought and sufficient evidence.

"This has tarnished and defamed a lot of personal at all health levels.

"I now instruct and direct that no individual health worker or chief executive officer or management and boards at all levels shall provide any information of health matters and/or issues, to any means of media.

Temu: Get back to basics

Temu gave the direction when he held an all-staff meeting at NDoH Headquarters. 

He later had an incoming briefing with the Executive Managers of the various divisions, the two Deputy Secretaries, and Health Secretary Pascoe Kase.

A key point raised was the need to return to primary health care.

“There is a need to re-build what has been lost over the last decade.”

He urged the NDOH staff to put themselves in the shoes of a Papua New Guinean seeking basic health care and develop plans and policies from this perspective.