No funds for rural health

By KOLOPU WAIMA

Rural Health has been a major concern for provinces in Papua New Guinea, according to Sundaun Governor, Amkat Mai.
Mr Mai, in a statement yesterday, said that he has not seen a way forward for his remote Telefomin district and his province.
He said that the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Michael Malabag’s Way Forward Plan, for urban health care in Port Moresby is promising, as an MP and resident of North-West electorate, in Port Moresby; but what about rural health that has been neglected for decades?
“It seems that rural health delivery in Papua New Guinea is the last place the national department of health would rather concentrate on. Rural health is an issue that must be made a priority immediately,” governor Mai said.
He said that it is not the sole responsibility of churches, Non-government organisations and AusAid, who work tirelessly to improve rural health care in this country.
He further added that apart from government funding, the national department of health is heavily funded through its development partners: Global funding, Asian Development Bank, World Health Organization, AusAID, the Clinton Foundation; people continue to die from preventable diseases within remote districts throughout Papua New Guinea.
The governor said that a health symposium held at Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby a few weeks ago, cost a staggering K100,000.00.
“We are spending on workshops, conventions, and conferences, and then we tell churches and NGOs that there is no funding,” he said.
He said that the opportunity cost of forgoing unnecessary conferences and workshops over a three (3) month period would equip the national department of health adequate funding by re-diverting unused budget appropriation to rural health service delivery in Papua New Guinea.