Many health facilities across the country are in deteriorating state as the O'Neill-Dion Govt failed its health policy

PNG Opposition Leader Don Polye has described the government's Free Health Care policy as failed and grandstanding.

Mr Polye said this following his visit to Gloucester Health Centre last weekend.

He added that the centre's single ward was unfit for occupation by patients.
"By all health and hygiene standards, the ward should be condemned for occupation.

"Many health facilities across the country are in similar state. It is a shame for Prime Minister to defend his policy when, in fact, it has not worked well for our health administrators, officers and their patients," a concerned Polye said.

The government, he said, owes an apology to our people for misleading the citizens that everything was normal.

Polye stated that O'Neill and his Health minister should bow their heads in shame.
He was taken by hospital's staff and management on a tour to inspect the condition of the facilities.

An health extension officer, who withheld his identity, said medicine supplies were delayed by a month or two.
He admitted that patients were paying for small portion of medicines they had.

They presented Polye a letter requesting funds for its rehabilitation.
"I will not make a commitment on the funds sought as we do not have funds for such in the Opposition.

You will only be lucky when I win the mandate of our people to form the next government in September. Let us wait for the outcome of the election," he said.

According to him, his Triumph Heritage Empowerment (THE) party led government would build four regional referral hospitals in the country coupled with sufficient operational funds and drugs.

These hospitals, he said, will also cater for cancer and children patients.
He added that, better still, he would look into converting some of the existing facilities into children's, cancer and women hospitals in each region.

He said his government would upgrade the cancer unit in Lae Angau Hospital and other similar, existing facilities in the country.
Polye said all the run-down health facilities would be rehabilitated during his 100 days in office.

"Our THE party wants all the districts to have a hospital each. Also all the LLGs to have a sub-health centre each whilst all wards to have a clinic or an aid post each. We will ensure they have specialist doctors, HEOs and nurses to serve our people better unlike we see today," he said.

Polye said their wages and living conditions would be improved.

PNG Opposition Leader Don Polye shaking hands with Gloucester Health centre's TB program officer Aloisia Tali whilst her colleagues wait for their turn at Gloucester station in West New Britain last weekend.

Opposition Leader Don Polye shaking hands with Gloucester Health centre's TB program officer Aloisia Tali whilst her colleagues wait for their turn at Gloucester station in West New Britain.

The deteriorating state of the Gloucester Health center including the single ward in West New Britain.

Part of the deteriorating state of the Gloucester Health center including the single ward in West New Britain.

A section of the deteriorating state of the Gloucester Health center including the single ward in West New Britain.

The worse ever and deteriorating state of the Gloucester Health center including the single ward in West New Britain.

 Polye being led to the stage by 6-year old Jossie Ronald and Jonally Ronald,4, of Morobe and East New Britain parentage in Kimbe town.