Eastern Highlands Province health authority has new board members

BY VICKY BAUNKE

The Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (EHPHA) has sworn in nine members of its third board to further health services in the province.

The health board includes CEO of Pacific Helicopters and former EHP governor Malcolm Kela Smith, Tau Amevo, Ms Elva Lionel, Jackson Apa, Miriam Layton, Dr Kilagi Vanuga. Enoch Mieh, Kopi Manove and Fallah Loatigih.

The swearing in process was done by Senior Magistrate Gerad Vetunawa in Goroka witnessed by stakeholder in the EHPHA and management.

District Court Magistrate Gerad
Vetunawa (left) swearing in
a member of the board -Provincial Disease
Control officer
 who represents of districts in EHPHA Mr Jackson Apo

EHPHA CEO Dr Joseph Apa said the delivery of health services is a big challenge for a province with many rural areas and an increasing population and partnership and equal representation in the board will help health services to the community level.

“Shortage of medical drugs, poor health indicators such as low immunization coverage, low supervised delivery of mothers and many other health problems has been lacking with EHPHA in the past thus creating an effective healthcare system with the right dynamics of operation is the key element of progress and stability,” Dr Apa said.

“If we have the right model of service delivery and finances from the different organizations and we manage prudently at our level, we will set an effective health care system that produces better health outcome.”

EHPHA Board Members

He said the EHPHA board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that good governance principles and practices are upheld at all levels of the organization.

Dr Apa added that with this understanding the board and management will create a good environment for the health institution in the provinces and fulfill its functions effectively.”