Eastern Highlands Province Governor Simon Sia has recently funded a Mobile X-Ray Machine for Kainantu Hospital to benefit the people.
Governor Sia emphasized that improving Health Facilities in the Province underscores his key development visions for the province.
Sia, together with Chairman of Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Chris Kopyioto, presented a K550,000 Cheque to Brian Bell Group General Manager Todd Mackenzie to supply the Mobile X-ray machine from its Meddent Health Supplies shop in Port Moresby city.
During the presentation, the Governor emphasized that he has a vision to improve the health facilities in the province.
“Kainantu Hospital serves the bulk of the population from the eastern side of the province including people from close infringe of Kainantu District. Installing modern equipment will improve the service and achieve the quality outcome,” the good Governor said.
While receiving the cheque, Mr. Mackenzie emphasized that Meddent has been in the business of supplying quality medical equipment for over forty years in PNG, although it was only a year old under the Brian Bell Group of companies.
“We have always supplied medical equipment together with backup services. We recognize some of the major concerns affecting good health services at hospitals is the quality of equipment supplied and general lack of backup services, including limited technical know-how and capacity, in our experience as suppliers of medical equipment and accessories around the country.”
“We thank the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government and the Leadership of Simon Sia for entrusting us to supply medical equipment to improve Health Service in the Province.”
Provincial Health Authority Chairman, Mr. Kopyioto also stressed that many times medical equipment is either not appropriate to remote rural settings or doesn’t provide the much-needed backup service or support. So, when the equipment breaks down there are either no funds to pay for the repairs or no qualified technician within the health facilities to attend to the issues, thus causing disruptions to the efficient delivery of health services.
He further added that the need for private sector engagement to facilitate backup services will fill the missing link in the health sector.
Governor Sia whilst acknowledging the good dialogue established said, “Coming from a business sector background, we are always about efficient delivery of goods and services.”
“Now in the public service, I am seeing things take time and I apologize for this delay in delivering the Cheque though the quotation was given. The Mobile X-ray machine is expected to arrive in the province early next year,” the Governor assured.