Minister for Health Hon. Michael Malabag and his small delegation were welcomed at the Eastern Highlands Provincial Hospital by staff holding a banner that read: WELCOME TO THE GRAVEYARD FOR PREVENTABLE DEATHS.
The delegation included acting Secretary for Health Mr. Pascoe Kase, EHP Governor Julie Soso, Goroka MP Bire Kimisopa and Daulo MP Ron Garanafo.
The emergency visit to the hospital was to address the current sit-in protest by the Staff of the hospital over the appalling deterioration of clinical services in the hospital. The staff, united in solidarity under their various branch union leaders, demanded that the current EHP Provincial Health Authority Board and the Management be changed.
Even after the issue was brought to their attention three months ago, clinical services have gone from bad to worse. Community leader Mr. Ian Mopafi said that the management’s and Board’s failures to address the issue are proof that they are ‘incompetent’, and thus must be removed. ‘We have lost confidence in them,” said Goroka Branch NDA President Dr. Francis Wandi.
Statistics revealed that in the last three weeks that the hospital has been without bloods bags, more than six people have died of preventable causes.
The minister, much to the applause of the staff and the crowd, appointed Dr. Francis Wandi, NDA Goroka Branch President, to be the acting CEO of PHA until November when a new management team will be appointed.
Formerly the Director of Medical Services in Kundiawa General Hospital, Dr. Wandi contributed much to the hospital’s current five star rating.
Goroka Hospital was one of the best hospitals in the country, and the birthplace of important health programs in the country. A long time surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Eorage, mentioned that Operation Open Heart, the Rural Health Program and Provincial Health Authority were born in Goroka, and the next program they are looking forward to the first Kidney Transplant Unit in the country. It is understood that basic services must be improved first before major units are ventured upon.
Governor Soso revealed plans her government is working on to establish an Oncology (Cancer) unit in the Province.
Satisfied staffs have opened the gates of the Hospital to the public to access health services.
