WHILE some people hold the position that the National Referral Hospital is improving, most people will agree that the dire state of the NRH is an undeniable one.
This was the statement of Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale yesterday.
Mr Wale said under-resourced provincial health centres and clinics are a major contributing factor to the tragic state of our National Referral Hospital.
He said he observed while travelling around the provinces and talking to people that there was one complaint that was uniform with regards to National Health.
“People have lamented on the fact that provincial health centres and clinics are all suffering from a lack of resources and facilities,” Mr Wale said in a statement yesterday.
“As shared by these people, a clear example of this problem is where minor cases that should be treated in the provinces are being referred to the NRH because provincial health centres and clinics are under-resourced.
According to Mr Wale, this problem is directly contributing to the struggling NRH.
He said this extra load clearly has a weighing effect on the service delivery at NRH.
He added that the dire state of our health system can be linked back to good governance and a strong political will.
“Good policy, proper budgeting and a robust implementation framework can fix this,” the Opposition Leader said.
“Instead, our nation is suffering because our health system is struggling.
“People are waiting longer than necessary at the NRH, doctors are overwhelmed and overworked, and taxpayers are paying for avoidable costs of minor cases that should be treated in the provinces.”
