National Department of Health

Health workers association calls on Kali to resign

PNGHSWA has 3,000 members who have planned a nationwide strike on Friday, December 9 for the duration of three weeks.

PNGHSWA General Secretary Jack Suao said they had given DPM ample time of three weeks to respond to their grievances however to date, DMP has not shown a positive response.

Suao explained that the call for his resignation is to pave way for a better individual to step in and address the prolonged delay on their log of claims.

These include their housing allowance, pay increase, leave entitlements and other industrial matters.   

New tobacco Bill passed

The Bill was passed 64 – 0 and repeals the Tobacco Products (Health Control) Act 1987.

Health Minister, Michael Malabag, when making the second and third reading of the Bill, said the former Act was 30 years old and an enhanced Government response was necessary to address the direct costs to individuals and the government.

He said there is a sharp increase in non-communicable diseases, particularly heart diseases, diabetes and cancers which are knownto be closely associated with cigarette smoking and exposure to it.

CCHS signed new MOU with DoH

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Department of Health today.

Archbishop Stephen Reichert said the direct funding and support will allow for more immediate and direct access to funding and services.

Archbishop Reichert said they’re happy to assist the Government in the role to deliver health care particular in rural areas.

“We want to make sure that the government recognises us as an organisation with employees as we need to take care of them as well.

Committee aims to improve nursing profession

Head of Nursing at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of PNG and member of NPHC, Dr Buasi Nancy Olan said the committee aims to improve the nursing profession.

Dr Olan said they don’t talk about union matters but professional issues and development of the nursing profession.

The committee also works to improve the health workforce by assisting to coordinate symposiums.

She explained that NPHC mainly deals with setting out the requirements for abstracts in research papers that will be presented at symposiums.

Over 500 nurses to attend symposium next week

Preparations are well underway and nurses from both urban and rural hospitals and health facilities will travel into Lae for the week-long event.

The symposium is partly hosted by the PNG Nurses Association (PNGNA) with the theme “Nurses: A force for change, improving and strengthening health system’s resilience through public, private partnership.”

PNGNA acting vice president Fredrick Kebai explained that the theme is in line with the Government’s free health care policy where the nurses are agents of change and implementers of policies.

PNG can avoid many health mistakes: Kase

Secretary for National Department of Health, Pascoe Kase made the statement in his keynote address during the 52 Medical Symposium in Alotau yesterday.

The country can avoid many mistakes that were done by others, Kase said.

"One of the mistakes that is currently killing the budgets of developed countries is a total focus on curative medicine while negleting the power of preventive medicine and health promotion in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases," he said.

Bubuleta Aid Post outside Alotau to be opened

Representatives from the National Health Department, the Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority as well as respective development partners such as UNICEF, World Health Organisation, Japan International Cooperation Agency and OPEC Fund for International Development, will be present on the day to mark this occasion for the people of Milne Bay.

PNG working to eliminate malaria

As part of the NDoH commitment under the National Malaria Control Program, the workshop promoted discussion about the path toward malaria control and eventual elimination.

Academics from across the globe met and conducted the country’s first Elimination Scenario Planning (ESP) workshop for malaria which ended on Wednesday.

Assistant health secretary Dr Paisan Dakulala thanked all participants at the end of the workshop for sharing their ideas and experiences.