By Rebecca Kuku in Port Moresby
Oro Governor Gary Juffa has called on Papua New Guinea’s Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Jelta Wong to present a paper recommending a “proper and transparent” procurement system for the Department of Health (DOH) to procure medicine and pharmaceutical drugs.
Juffa, who was a member of the Public Accounts Committee of 2019 that held an inquiry into the DOH procurement, supply and distribution process, said the recommendations were endorsed and approved by stakeholders and donor partners that supported PNG in the health sector.
“The recommendations for the procurement system were put together by the Special Parliamentary Committee for Public Sector Reform.
“After the inquiry the DOH did not take action in implementing the recommendations made by the committee,” Governor Juffa said.
He said that recommendations proposed a more transparent system to procure, distribute and supply medicines and pharmaceutical drugs.
“I urge Minister Wong to present this paper to the National Executive Council for consideration.
“It is in the best interest of the country and the people,” Governor Juffa said.
Attempts to get a response from Wong yesterday were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Borneo Pacific Pharmaceutical has been awarded a one-year contract worth K65 million to supply medical kits throughout the country.
Rebecca Kuku is a PNG Post-Courier reporter. Republished with permission.
