PRIME MINISTER PETER O’NEILL GIVES K100, 000 TO CANCER FOUNDATION

The Cancer Foundation Papua New Guinea received K100, 000 from the National Government for the outstanding efforts it has been putting in its awareness programs to combat and prevent cancer throughout PNG.

The cheque presentation was made by Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill, CMG MP to the Cancer Foundation CEO, Dadi Toka Jr, during the Cancer Foundation Inaugural Charity Gala at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill thanked and commended the Foundation for its outstanding efforts to help prevent and combat this epidemic and also initiate awareness programs concerning this area.

He also announced that the government has also allocated in next years’ budget K100, 000 for each district totaling K8.9 million to strengthen awareness programs in schools for the vaccination of young women.

“Cancer, being one of those very serious issues in PNG, is a result of the neglect of our health circumstances for many years. “Over the last two years, our government has fully funded the national health plan, which was launched many years ago but was neglected in terms of funding,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said.

He said the government now spends nearly K1.5 billion each year on this plan and as a result of that; we are now starting to see many improvements in the manner of healthcare we provide for our citizens.

“Before the 2015 National Budget is passed in parliament next week, I can safely announce tonight that 2015 will see a very determined government, investing more into healthcare services in our country. “In fact it will exceed K2 billion in next year’s budget allocation for health facilities and healthcare programs in our country,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said.

He said this is a very substantial increase from where we were three years ago. Virtually, less than eight or nine hundred million kina a year to fund our health sector on a growing rate of 3 per cent. “The government is also putting direct funding of K2 million into the district level to improve our district health facilities and doctors and nurses houses so they are able to serve our people effectively.

“At the same time, we are doing more work to build infrastructure and bring in more equipment to the provincial hospitals, therefore they will receive direct funding from the national budget,” the Prime Minister said. He further thanked the major advocates and sponsors of Cancer Foundation PNG and assured them the government’s continued support.