Abal should not use Sopas hospital for political gain

Source: The National, 

FOR Sam Abal to inquire about the K4 million and to question if it has reach­ed Sopas (The Na­tional, April 30) is a joke.
Has he not seen the changes in the Sopas facility lately or the massive renovation work?
The hospital is located in Abal’s electorate, yet he does not seem to know what is happening right under his nose.
Following a tribal warfare, the facility was deserted for more than 10 years.
Since then, no politician or organisation has ever tried to resurrect this sleeping giant, until a medical doctor took on the humongous task last year.
He wrote to members concerned but they were more worried about projects that would benefit them and saw no rewards from the Sopas Hospital.
Besides, the population was not even big enough to vote for them.
A proposal submitted by the doctor to the Na­tional Planning Department was approved and K4 million was released mid last year for the resurrection project.
A joint committee was set up with the doctor as the chairman and, since then, work has taken place.
The facility underwent massive renovation in­cluding all the wards, operating theatre, emergency rooms and the outpatient department, followed by the staff houses and nursing quarters.
The facility has even opened its doors to treat patients and has acquired K1.5 million worth of me­dical equipment.
So Abal, play your po­litics somewhere else and not with Sopas Hospital.
As a member responsible for the electorate, have you given some counter-funding or proposal for the re-establishment of the facility?
If not, I suggest you keep such comments to yourself so that you do not discourage the committee who have been working tirelessly to bring Sopas back to its glory days.

Dr C.J.
Port Moresby