Minister for Health

He made this statement following questions raised by East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird on the floor of Parliament on the progress of the report on Tuesday.  

“I would like to know if a finding has been made and if so, has that been made available to the family. If not, why not?

“There are others who actually suffer sometimes from treatment at the public hospital and it is not just the case of young Rex.

Wong said in a time when the country is not at war, Prime Minister James Marape is promoting the Defence Force through peace and humanitarian efforts which are beneficial at this time for the Australian bush fire situation.

He said this government, under Prime Minister Marape, is about building bridges and better utilising the Defence Force where it actually matters.

Sir Puka said things are continuing to improve and the government is committed to improving the past situation Sir Mekere is referring to.

Sir Mekere claimed that the recent statements by Dr James Naipao, President of the National Doctors Association, and Professor Glen Mola from the Medical School, highlight urgent and serious issues that the Government is refusing to acknowledge or do anything about.

“The health system is in crisis – everyone knows that – but Peter O’Neill and Puka Temu are just letting people die or suffer,” the former Prime Minister said.

To date, more 299,683 children have been vaccinated.

Minister for Health, Sir Puka Temu, said the Government has already set aside funding to carry out this project.

Speaking to the media after the official opening of the new TB clinic at PMGH yesterday, Sir Puka said the total funding is estimated at K15m to implement the project.

“We will be trialing this project and if it’s successful, we will be rolling it across the country,” stated Sir Puka.

“PM has already committed in supporting this project and has pledged to fund it in the coming years as well.”

Sir Puka said the purpose of the circular, which has gone viral on social media, was for the Health Department to be consistent with its messaging to avoid fear and confusion in the community, especially on sensitive issues like the shortage of medical supplies.

Sir Puka said the circular had nothing to do with trying to avoid public scrutiny or suppressing people’s rights to freedom of speech.

“In every organisation, public or private, the head of the organisation is normally the official spokesperson,” the Minister said in a statement.

This was announced by Minister for Health, Michael Malabag, yesterday in Port Moresby.

The Government recently gave K700,000 to the ambulance service and will settle the remaining funds soon.

Operating in PNG for the last 60 years, the funding for St. John’s will allow the ambulance to continue its services and to further expand its specialty functions.

St John’s Ambulance chief commissioner, Mollen Molki, thanked the Government for its support and said the community appreciates the vital services of St John’s paramedics.

Present to officiate the launching and swearing of the board was Secretary for the Department of Health, Pascoe Kase and Minister for Health, Michael Malabag.

The hospital has been without a board for a while and after today’s declaration, the hospital is now a stand-alone institution.

The hospital will stand away from NCD Health Services meaning that it will have a board of governors, a management team under the CEO.

Kase says NCD Health Services will be a different entity.