Minister for Health and HIV/Aids

Grants totalling K24 million will be funded by the PNG-Australia Partnership and will support the PNG Government’s priority to support provincial health authorities in the delivery of primary health services.

The arrangement will see provincial health authorities lead planning processes to ensure that services align with local priorities. 

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Jelta Wong, said the grants will support critical priorities in PNG’s health system. 

He was there to view the progress and reiterate the Papua New Guinea Government’s commitment to the project.

“I am pleased to see the progress of this impressive and significant infrastructure project, which promises to provide high quality health care for communities throughout the Momase Region,” said Minister Wong.

“Once completed, ANGAU will be the major regional referral hospital and a significant national asset for Papua New Guinea for decades to come.”

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Elias Kapavore, said the recent launch of the Health Workforce Standards and Monitoring System is a milestone achievement for Health in PNG.

“As we all know, the National Health Service Standards is a blueprint for providing safe and quality health services in achieving primary health care for all and improved service delivery for the rural majority and urban disadvantaged, as per the current National Health Care plan 2011-2020.

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Elias Kapavore, said a resolution was reached between the National Executive Council on the construction of the new hospital in the region of Bougainville, and Arawa was chosen to have the facility set up.

This is to ensure that medicines are in stock at the five Area Medical Stores and 15 Provincial Transit Medical Stores throughout the country.

The National Executive Council recently approved two contracts for the supply of health centre and aid post kits and also for the supply of antibiotic drugs.

Medical kits for health centres and aid posts are being packed in Port Moresby and will be transported to seven ports in PNG before the end of August 2019.

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Elias Kapavore, made this undertaking on the floor of Parliament yesterday (July 4).

Central Province is the only province in the country that does not have a provincial hospital.

Governor Robert Agarobe raised this concern in Parliament, calling on the Government to deliver on its commitments to the people of Central Province.

Sir Puka was referring to a social media post that claimed that he had discussed with the other Papuan MPs, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Alotau MP, Charles Abel, to move to the Opposition.

With the grace period for the vote of no confidence approaching, rumours are rife on social media on several MPs in the government making a move to change the Prime Minister.

However, many have denied such claims on social media claiming it is the desperate work of the Opposition.

Sir Puka was one such MP.

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Sir Puka Temu, was in the District recently to present a K5 million cheque to local MP and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Pila Niningi.

The National Government’s program for establishing hospitals in the 89 districts of PNG is incorporated into the National Health Plan 2011 – 2020 and Health Medium Term Development Plan priorities for implementation.

The three-day workshop was opened on November 5^th by Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Sir Puka Temu.

The workshop, led by the Health Department and co-funded by the government of Australia and Oil Search Foundation, provides an avenue to consult stakeholders in a review of all laws that establish health sector governance and arrangements for health service delivery.

Speaking to participants, the Health Minister said structural issues are some of the factors that hamper service delivery in PNG.

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.”