Down-scaling of services at Madang Provincial Hospital to continue for another 2 weeks

The downscaling of services at the Madang Provincial Hospital will continue for another two weeks, according to the hospital's Acting Executive Manager, Jeremiah Johnmark.

In a media conference today, Mr. Johnmark confirmed that vital medical supplies at the hospital have increased to at least 13. 8 per cent from the previous 5 per cent after the National Health Department through the Area Medica Store supplied some of the essential medical drugs that the hospital did not have.

Unfortunately, he clarified that this is still not enough to guarantee the uplifting of the temporary down- scaling of services at the hospital.

"Until we've received 50 per cent or more, we remain in scale down mode for the next two weeks. But we are hopeful that during this time, we should receive some more supplies," Mr Johnmark said.

The hospital began scaling down services on August 13 due to a critical shortage in vital medical drugs and consumables.

"We made the decision to scale down because in the last six months of this year, we only received 5 per cent of the total medical drugs and consumables that we've ordered 95 per cent of the 6 000 plus items were outstanding.

"In the last two weeks, the National Health Department through the Area Medical Store in Lae was able to supply all the essential medicines and consumables that we did not have in stock.

"I want to take this time to also thank the National Health Department, especially the Medical Supplies Branch, for listening to our hospital's cries, our staff, patients, and the general public in the last two weeks. He said.

He said for the next two-week Madang provincial hospital will give time for the NDoH and the Area Medical Store in Lae to find ways to supply their critical stocks of medicine.  

"We hope that in the next two weeks we should beef up our stock level to 50 per cent or more. By then we should uplift the scale down and return to normal services," he said.

Meanwhile, Johnmark extended the hospital's appreciation to the general public for their understanding at this very critical time.