Sir Martin-NDoH stir ‘conflict of interest’ in PNG?
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Sir Martin-NDoH stir ‘conflict of interest’ in PNG?
PORT MORESBY: If you are the owner and boss of a company that has been given millions of kina worth of contracts to procure, supply and distribute medicines and medical kits in Papua New Guinea (PNG), is it ethical for you accept any appointment to a board of a hospital?
Isn’t it crystal clear that such an appointment could run foul of “conflict of interest”.
That is exactly what had happened when the National Department of Health (NDoH) appointed Sir Martin Poh as Gerehu Hospital board chairman.
Here’s what The National reported:
Sir Martin’s naming stirs conflict
HEALTH and HIV/AIDS Minister Jelta Wong says Sir Martin Poh’s appointment as Gerehu Hospital board chairman is “conflict of interest”.
“It is conflict of interest because Sir Martin is Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BPPL) chairman, the company that was given multi-million-kina contracts (by the National Department of Health – NDoH) to supply medicines and medical kits in Papua New Guinea (PNG),” he added.
Wong was responding to The National’s request for his views on the ongoing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry into the NDoH’s award of two contracts worth more than K100 million to BPPL to procure and supply antibiotics and medical kits nationwide this year.
The PAC has held eight days of hearing since Oct 29.
The ninth session is adjourned to early next year.
On Day 7 of the inquiry on Dec 2, PAC chairman Sir John Pundari queried the appointment of Sir Martin, adding that it was “a conflict of interest”.
However, Wong said the boards of Gerehu Hospital and clinics under the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) were now redundant following the approval of the NCDC Health Authority (NCDCHA) on Friday, in line with the objective to roll out all the Provincial Health Authorities his year.
The NCDCHA is the last PHA in the country to be approved.
“Following the approval, there is no such thing as the Gerehu Hospital Board or Badili Clinic Board. Everything comes under the PHA,” Wong said, adding that Sir Martin and all other board members were no longer in service.
David Toua, who is Steamships corporate affairs general manager and PNG Business Council member, is the NCDCHA board chairman.
There are 28 clinics in NCD of which eight are Government-run and 20 operated by Non-Governmental Organisations and churches.
Gerehu is the only hospital for NCD since 2017 after being upgraded from Gerehu Clinic to a provincial hospital.
“It is conflict of interest because Sir Martin is Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BPPL) chairman, the company that was given multi-million-kina contracts (by the National Department of Health – NDoH) to supply medicines and medical kits in Papua New Guinea (PNG),” he added.
Wong was responding to The National’s request for his views on the ongoing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry into the NDoH’s award of two contracts worth more than K100 million to BPPL to procure and supply antibiotics and medical kits nationwide this year.
The PAC has held eight days of hearing since Oct 29.
The ninth session is adjourned to early next year.
On Day 7 of the inquiry on Dec 2, PAC chairman Sir John Pundari queried the appointment of Sir Martin, adding that it was “a conflict of interest”.
However, Wong said the boards of Gerehu Hospital and clinics under the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) were now redundant following the approval of the NCDC Health Authority (NCDCHA) on Friday, in line with the objective to roll out all the Provincial Health Authorities his year.
The NCDCHA is the last PHA in the country to be approved.
“Following the approval, there is no such thing as the Gerehu Hospital Board or Badili Clinic Board. Everything comes under the PHA,” Wong said, adding that Sir Martin and all other board members were no longer in service.
David Toua, who is Steamships corporate affairs general manager and PNG Business Council member, is the NCDCHA board chairman.
There are 28 clinics in NCD of which eight are Government-run and 20 operated by Non-Governmental Organisations and churches.
Gerehu is the only hospital for NCD since 2017 after being upgraded from Gerehu Clinic to a provincial hospital.
PAC team travelling to Morobe for health inquiry
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is visiting hospitals, clinics and aid posts in Morobe this week as part of its inquiry into the National Department of Health (NDoH)’s procurement, supply and distribution of medicines and medical kits nationwide.
PAC chairman Sir John Pundari told The National that committee members would be flying to Lae in Morobe tomorrow to conduct site visits and inspections as part of its ongoing inquiry that had been adjourned to early next year after eight days of hearing since Oct 29.
“Due to time constraints and the fast approaching Christmas holiday, the visits and inspections will be carried out only in Lae. Our mission will be completed on Friday, and we will resume the inquiry early next year,” he said.
The inquiry began shortly after the Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BPPL) was awarded two government contracts to supply medical kits and antibiotics valued at more than K100 million sparked a furor, led by the National Doctor’s Association.
On Aug 22, the PAC announced that it would hold an inquiry into the awarding of the contracts.
Sir John said at that time that the inquiry was basically called in response to the public outcry and those in the medical industry and profession.
PAC chairman Sir John Pundari told The National that committee members would be flying to Lae in Morobe tomorrow to conduct site visits and inspections as part of its ongoing inquiry that had been adjourned to early next year after eight days of hearing since Oct 29.
“Due to time constraints and the fast approaching Christmas holiday, the visits and inspections will be carried out only in Lae. Our mission will be completed on Friday, and we will resume the inquiry early next year,” he said.
The inquiry began shortly after the Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BPPL) was awarded two government contracts to supply medical kits and antibiotics valued at more than K100 million sparked a furor, led by the National Doctor’s Association.
On Aug 22, the PAC announced that it would hold an inquiry into the awarding of the contracts.
Sir John said at that time that the inquiry was basically called in response to the public outcry and those in the medical industry and profession.
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