Provincial Health Authority

“The breakdown of the K4.96 billion includes K387.8 million in medical supply procurement and distribution, K117.7 million in commodity consumables including TB, Malaria and vaccines and the cost of implementing the national health plan is estimated at K4.3 billion.

However, Health Secretary Dr Osborne Liko said the Treasury Department has indicated that the government can only appropriate up to K1.7 billion in the 2024 budget.

 “When we compare the 2024 budget, we face a shortfall of K3.26 billion,” Dr Liko said.

“Improving access to clean water supply and decent toilets in healthcare facilities will lead to low morbidity and mortality in healthcare facilities,” said WHPHA CEO, Paulus Ripa. 

He was addressing the National Validation Workshop for WaSH in Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) in Mt Hagen, recently.

“If we had good water supply, we wouldn’t see half of the number of people presenting with sicknesses at the healthcare facilities,” said Dr. Ripa.

The Advanced Life Support and Advanced Prehospital Trauma Care courses received earlier this month are internationally accredited. 

The courses were facilitated by Parasol EMT in collaboration with St John Ambulance and the PNG Society of Emergency Medicine.  

The courses included Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1), Advanced Life Support Level 2 (ALS2) and Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS). The fifth day included an instructor course to prepare St John Ambulance doctors and nurses to facilitate future courses in Papua New Guinea.

He was responding to questions raised by Member for Middle Ramu, Jonny Alonk, if the Minister would be visiting the province to engage with members of the provincial health sector and check on the progress of service delivery.

Minister Kapavore said the member’s questions refer to the implementation of a Provincial Health Authority for Madang Province.

The Provincial Health Authority is an Act of Parliament 2007, and in 2009 only three provinces implemented this Act.

The Governor for Central and members of the Provincial Administration were brought up to speed, after bringing to the National Department of Health, their desire to implement a Health Authority as soon as possible.

The Governor for Central and members of the Central Provincial Administration are adamant to have their development agendas made a reality.

The hospital was built by Niugini Builders Construction (NBC) at a cost of K25.3 million. The National Government gave K15m, K6m from SHP Provincial Government, K4m from Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd and K300,000 from the Nipa district.

O'Neill while speaking at the commissioning, commended the contractor for the job we'll done and praised them for their commitment.

"We need such contractors in the country who worked hard and complete job using limited resources," says O'Neill.

He added that the hospital Will serve the people of Nipa and the surrounding communities.

“Thank you so much for your time and effort in progressing our Province and importantly for supporting me and our team in WNBPHA.

“Your support has significantly progressed our development in the health sector.

“Once again we would require your support to bring Australian Doctors International to WNB to assist with Rural Health Programs.”

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika presiding as a single Supreme Court Judge on Thursday granted interim orders sought to Southern Highlands Governor William Powi and the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority.

Governor Powi and the SHPHA filed an application which was moved last Friday and granted yesterday, which stayed order on the decision of the Waigani National Court dated Nov 16. 

The application was filed because there was confusion on the legal requirements regarding the establishment of the Provincial health Authority and the Hospital Board.