Two Medical officers in Madang Province are set to be penalized after breaching direct instructions from the Madang Provincial Health Authority to not take part in electoral processes in this year’s National General Elections.
Dr. Mantin Daimen, Director of Public Health in Madang advised that due to manpower issues, a directive was handed down from the PHA to health workers to not leave their post and take part in the election processes.
“There are some health centres in the province that are attended by only 1 or 2 health workers,” Dr. Daimen said.
Even though there are provisions made for public servants to take part in elections, the PHA has issued a stern warning, calling all health workers in the province not to take part as currently there is a shortage of manpower.
The two officers, though not directly involved clinical practice, will be penalized and asked to go on Leave without pay for an indefinite period.
So far, there has been no known reports of other health care workers leaving their post to take part in the election processes.