SHPHA and Oil Search Foundation sign agreement to strengthen health service delivery

Mendi 5-star Hospital

By Jacob Marcos

The Southern Highlands Provincial Health (SHPHA) Authority and Oil Search Foundation (OSF) have  signed a Memorandum of Agreement  to strengthen the delivery of effective and accountable health services in the province.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) strengthens the existing relationship and facilitates stronger cooperation between SHPHA and OSF.

CEO of the Oil Search Foundation Kymberley Kepore said during the event that the agreement acts as a catalyst for improving governance systems and increases patient access to essential health services in the province as per the National Health Plan 2011- 2020.

“One of the key things about this agreement is that, as partners we have the opportunity to share resources and technical services to deliver better health services in the province. It widens our scope and increases our ability to cover a greater area by utilising the existing networks, be they church run, private or government," Kepore said recently.

As part of the National Health Sector Partnership Policy, we are strengthening partnerships and coordination with all our stakeholders to achieve the Government’s health priorities, the Chairman of SHPHA Peter Nupiri said.

"We need to move forward together, take joint responsibility, but as the Provincial Health Authority of Southern Highlands we know that in the end we will remain accountable for the delivery of health services to our people,” Nupiri said.

Newly appointed acting Chief executive Officer of SHPHA, Dr Joseph Birisi commended the OSF for the collaboration, describing the agreement as a fine example of a public-private partnership aimed at improving the lives of Papua New Guineans.

By signing the MoU both organisations set out to identify all opportunities to share resources and technical support to deliver better health services Dr Birsi said.

This includes improving service delivery partners’ ability to maintain minimum standards; employing sufficient staff who are registered and licensed to deliver the services in line with National Health Standards and regulations; provide appropriate support and non-monetary incentives to increase recruitment and retention of health professionals in under-serviced communities; and collaborating to identify training needs and develop plans to address them.