ENBPHA DECLARES TO SPEND OWN MONEY ON MEDICAL DRUGS

BY WASITA ROYAL in Kokopo

The East New Britain Provincial Health Authority has declared its independence from the national medical supply system, choosing to spend its own money to save lives.

Faced with critical drug shortages in its 32 health facilities and repeated delays from the National Department of Health in Port Moresby, the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ako Yap, made a bold decision.
He has instructed his staff to bypass the broken national supply chain entirely.

Dr. Yap stated they can no longer let the national crisis disrupt patient care. The province is now activating a pre-arranged K300,000 reserve fund with City Pharmacy to purchase essential medicines directly. This creates a parallel, locally controlled supply line.

While this guarantees faster drug access for ENB patients, it raises serious questions. It means the province’s own health budget, meant for local services, is now covering a core national government function. Health officials plan to make this a permanent monthly fund, but this has pointed out a dangerous fracture in the country’s health system.

The ENBPHA has formally asked Waigani for an explanation on the supply delays, even as it spends its own money to solve the problem.

For now, shelves in ENB clinics will be restocked, but the move is a stark rebuke to the failing national system.