Sir Puka Temu

Sir Puka still denies drug shortages

He said drugs are available if not at hospitals, then it should be at the Area Medical Stores at Badili in Port Moresby.

With growing concerns from aid posts and clinics around the country facing shortages in medical drugs, Health Minister Sir Puka Temu has once again, taken a defensive stance.

He told this newsroom that like TB drugs and ART drugs for HIV patients, the Health Department always replenishes such drugs, which leaves a vacuum in between.

Health Minister denies drug shortage claims, again

The allegations on shortage of medical supplies are being recirculated on mainstream and social media.

The concerns were initially brought to public attention in May this year, where Professor Glen Mola, the head of the discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of PNG, said they heard during a Port Moresby General Hospital staff meeting that the many thousands of HIV positive people on treatment may not have any medicine to take.

Australia to support PNG’s immunisation strategy

Australian High Commission Minister-Counsellor, Benedict David, attended the launch and was pleased to announce PGK24 million to combat vaccine preventable diseases in Papua New Guinea. 

He said: “Australia and Papua New Guinea are close friends, and we will always look out for each other in times of need.  Under the leadership of Minister Temu and the Department of Health, this additional support will help protect PNG’s children from polio and other childhood illnesses.”

Over 290,000 children vaccinated

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

PROVINCE

TARGET POPULATION

TOTAL VACCINATED

Morobe

108 670

126 312

Polio centre revises campaign after Engan cases

The second round of the special polio vaccination will be extended to nine provinces; this is 3 times the coverage of the first round.

The National Emergency Operations Centre for the Polio Outbreak Response announced that the second round of the vaccination campaign will include the 3 initial provinces of Morobe, Madang and Eastern Highlands, and extended to Enga, Simbu, Southern, Western, Jiwaka and Hela provinces.

Health authorities responsible for provincial facilities

Health Minister Sir Puka Temu said the decentralisation of financial powers back to the provincial health authority is to ensure rural health facilities are well catered for.

Currently there are only 11 provinces with a provincial health authority office.

The Minister believes this is the way to go and has instructed all CEO’s of these PHA offices to work closely with the governor and the district MPs.

Sir Puka said under the budget provisions, the health functional grants will go directly to the provincial health authorities.

Doctor raises concern on lack of HIV drugs

Professor Glen Mola, the head of the discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of PNG, posted on Facebook that they heard during a Port Moresby General Hospital staff meeting that the many thousands of HIV positive people on treatment may not have any medicine to take.

New academic building for nursing school

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase and Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, opened the new academic building at the Lae School of Nursing today.

The major infrastructure upgrade support valued at approximately K25 million is part of the ANGAU Hospital redevelopment project, an initiative under the Joint Understanding between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia.

OC accuses Temu, Kali of ‘wrongful conduct’

The Ombudsman Commission Report titled: “Investigation into alleged improper decision by the Government Office Allocation Committee to engage Central Land Ltd to build a 32-storey Government office complex at Waigani Central in the National Capital District”, stated that both leaders had breached Section 39 and 40 of the Public Finances (Management) Act, 1995 and Part 13, of the Financial Manual.

Funding secured for medical supplies

This is the biggest ever investment in medical supplies and distribution system.

But this funding will be spent in accordance with an agreed 2 year procurement plan that Minister for Health and HIV, Sir Puka Temu will consider.

Minister Temu said Area Medical Stores are an important part of the medical supplies system.

He stressed this during the launch of the 100 percent Medical Kit Supplies (MSK) to the Badili Area Medical Store on Thursday.

Temu noted the Badili AMS refurbishment of K1.5 million, as evident to that commitment by the government.