Jelta Wong

PM Orders Health Minister To Intervene

The Prime Minister was responding to Member for Abau, Sir Puka Temu during Question Time today. Sir Puka told Parliament that most often the people from Central were turned away from Port Moresby and Gerehu General Hospitals.

"Our people are always turned back from seeking medical treatment in the city hospital.

"Why are doctors turning our people away?"

Prime Minister Marape when responding assured the people of Central Province that they have every right to seek medical treatment in all city hospitals.

Health Dept. Plans to Increase Workforce

The Minister also announced that a Medical Registration Bill would be captured through this plan. This bill will allow students graduating from the Divine Ward University to be eligible to work within the country.

The Minister also announced that a 10 year National Health Plan would be launched in the coming months.

Minister Wong made these statements in response to questions posed by Member for Pomio Open, Elias Kapavore regarding the Department’s plans.

Minister Kapavore asked about the:

Consultations underway for Gazelle Agro Special Economic Zone

In 2020, the ENB Provincial Government declared Gazelle district to be the industrial hub of the province. This massive economic impact project will cover its five LLGs.

Commencing initial consultations over the weekend, Gazelle MP and District development Authority (DDA) Board Chairman, Jelta Wong and four LLG presidents for Lassul Baining, Inland Baining, Livuan Reimber, Central Gazelle and staff from ENB provincial and district administration visited Inland and Lassul Baining and met with locals.

Wong: Opposition’s Claims Baseless

Minister Wong said if the Opposition had taken any interest in the passage of the legislation, they would not be making such reckless and empty claims, particularly as the country braces for further COVID-19 disease spread.

“The National Pandemic Act was the most effective way to manage the COVID-19 crisis while balancing the need for business and the economy to stay open and recover.

“It astounds me that the Opposition has so little understanding of the challenges facing our nation as it keeps putting around political rubbish,” he said.

Outgoing health minister acknowledges NCC staff

The Minister met with representatives from different government agencies, donor agencies and the private sector at the National Control Centre at Morauta house on Friday with the Controller and Police Commissioner, David Manning, and Deputy Controller and Acting Health Secretary, Dr Paison Dakulala.

Minister Wong said many worked with patriotism and many without overtime to keep COVID-19 at bay and urged all to continue to work. He said while a transition strategy is being worked on, there is still a long way to go and all must work towards making PNG a safer and better country.

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OSL acknowledged for PPE donation

Minister Wong made this comment when he received Personnel Protection Equipment from Oil Search.

He said the critical personal protective equipment is to be distributed across hospitals and medical clinics in consultation with the National Department of Health (NDOH) and Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) in Hela, Southern Highlands and Gulf Province. He said this assistance complements the work Oil Search medical services team and Oil Search Foundation are already providing in these areas.

Wong clarifies social media allegations

He made these remarks after allegations were posted on social media claiming that COVID-19 funds were misused.

A leaked document posted on social media showing invoices and letter to the acting Secretary of Health, alleging that Wong had made numerous recommendations to the Acting Health Secretary Dr Paison Dukulala to make several payments to various questionable companies to act on behalf of the State to procure equipment’s for the COVID-19 response.

117 Test Negative: COVID-19 Update

Minister for Health, Jelta Wong, said these are the latest figures after continued follow ups by the government’s response teams.

Minister Wong said of the 7, 127 Persons of Interest (POI), 6, 560 POI’s have been cleared.

The remaining 567 are being followed up and out of this figure 117 identified as Persons Under Investigation have returned negative results.

“The significant decrease in the number of ‘Persons of Interest’  is because of continuous following up and screening,” Wong said.

Namah urged to stop grandstanding

Wong said this in response to allegations made by the Opposition Leader that the State of Emergency declared by the Government was illegal.

Minister Wong said everything is done legally adding the Opposition leader is trying to play politics at this time when they are all trying to save the nation.

Protective Equipment to be delivered

Health Minister, Jelta Wong, in an update this morning said every province will receive PPE’s.

“I just finished a meeting with the logistics team, with Air Niugini, and our Area Medical Stores, and we are going to make sure that every province makes sure they receive their PPE gear, as well as medicines that can be held in the area medical stores to combat COVID-19,” said Wong.

The PNG Government has received PPE donations from several development partners.