Southern Region medical supplies received

Health facilities and aid posts throughout Southern Region should have essential medical supplies in stock by the end of February.

The Badili Area Medical Store received its 100 percent Medical Supplies Kit today.

Representatives of the National Department of Health, supplier Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals and regional distributors welcomed this supply.

The 100 percent Medical Supplies Kits are basically essential everyday items packed into a kit and distributed directly to facilities throughout the region.  

Since 2013, the government took on board the procurement and distribution of 100 percent medical supplies kit through its own procurement system.

More than 2,000 kits were supplied to the Badili Main Area Store yesterday (February 1) to be distributed throughout the region.

While this supply does not directly address the drug shortage issue, it is in line with that.

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase said distribution contractors will be verified this month to ensure that all facilities are stocked.

Minister for Health & HIV, Sir Puka Temu, said the 2018 budget has provided the biggest ever investment in the medical supplies and distribution processes. This funding will be spent in accordance with an agreed 2-Year Procurement Plan he will consider.

He said medical supplies are the single largest component of that expenditure.

In the meantime, Minister Temu says health expenditure in 2018 will increase by 14 percent from this year’s supplementary budget.

A back-to-basics approach to healthcare also requires the ministry and department investing in the places where people go to, to receive medicines.

The 2018 Budget builds provides K35 million over 5 years to establish more community health posts.

K7 million is being allocated this year to build new health posts across six provinces; Manus, East Sepik, Jiwaka, Western, Central and Simbu.

The budget also funds the construction of a new Area Medical Store in Kokopo and rehabilitation works for stores in Mt Hagen, Lae as well as provincial transit stores in Jiwaka, Manus and Central provinces.

Author: 
Gloria Bauai