Health Minister Sir Puka Temu

Health Minister Sir Puka Temu made the announcement in the presence of health partners during the official launch of Round 3 of the Polio National Immunisation Days.

Sir Puka said PNG’s routine immunisation coverage stands between 46 to 60 percent, which is the lowest in the Asia Pacific.

“The National Government has allocated K16.5 million in 2019 for the Expanded Program on Immunisation. This funding is for the polio outbreak emergency response of K10 million and routine vaccine procurement of K6.5 million.”

Health Minister Sir Puka Temu said apparently, the Customs officer responsible for inspecting the shipment has gone missing.

Health Minister Sir Puka Temu was responding to questions raised by Rigo MP, Lekwa Gure.

He said the ART drug has not completely run out but in short supply.

“Since I was informed as Minister that we were running out of ART, not out of stock but we’re very low because at the moment in the country are 26,000 HIV positive patients who are on ART.

“Last week I had a meeting with some of them and they raised the concerns themselves.