Health services in Kerema, Gulf Province have drastically dropped at this time with services at the provincial hospital declining because the Provincial Health Authority (PHA) in the province is not running the health system effectively according to Health Advisor Mr Ben Bal.
Mr Bal said all their specialised doctors have been sent to Port Moresby General Hospital to assist with Covid-19 operations while still on Gulf PHA payroll.
He also mentioned that other clinical health workers are out of the province and no one is doing anything about staff absenteeism.
“Patients have been sent home without proper medical checks and there is no one available to provide urgent medical attention,” Mr Bal said.
“The provincial hospital was level 5 and now has been reduced to level 3 due to the absenteeism of health workers in the province,” Mr Bal added.
Mean while Mr Bal stated that shortage on the supply of medical drugs is a nationwide problem but common drugs that are supposed to be available at the aid posts, health centres, the health sub-centres, the rural hospitals and the provincial hospital like Panadol and high-way fluids are not available.
Mr Bal is calling on the Gulf Provincial Health Authority board to see to this matter and stop turning a blind eye because the people of Gulf province are paying the price with their lives.