NAREWEC CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO ANGAU HOSPITAL BLACKOUTS

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

WAU Waria MP, Marsh Narewec has asked the Health Minister to allow the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters to conduct a public inquiry into the recent blackouts at the Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital resulting in patients losing their lives.

MP Narewec believes that there are underlying issues at the hospital and those should be addressed at the public inquiry.

MP Narewec in a supplementary question, supported concerns raised by newly elected MP for Kabwum, Patrick Basa over the reports of 7 alleged deaths at the Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital.

Mr Basa affirmed the recent deaths in Angau Hospital, were a result of continuous black outs experienced in the city.

In his response, Minister Kapavore stated that the issue with Angau is beyond the control of the National Department of Health, however confirmed that he received a report on October 18 from the Morobe Provincial Health Authority CEO, confirming a total of 5 deaths at Angau after the hospital underwent 20 hours of complete power outage.

Kapavore said, the government has released K347 millions of allocated funds for Provincial Health Authorities, adding that Morobe Provincial Health Authority has received 68% of the funds, which he claimed is insufficient to fix the power issues experienced at the hospital.

Health Minister Kaparove in his response said he will wait for the written letter by Chairman of Permanent Parliament Committee on Health Matters to give the green light for the public inquiry into Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital to commence.