No doctor in Lolowai Hospital

Lolowai Hospital which provides medical
services not only in PENAMA province but islanders in the north who seek urgent medical due to the shorter distance travelled still lack the vital expertise of a doctor.

MP for Ambae, James Bule, questioned the absence of a qualified, licensed medical practitioner in the provincial hospital to serve the people in the three islands and when the Government will address the issue during the recent Question Open and Answer session in Parliament.

Minister for Health Willie Reuben Abel responded, “I agree Lolowai hospital is entitled to having its share of doctors to serve the people of PENAMA.
“But the problem is the shortage of manpower. I will give a full answer on the exact position of the government on this issue this week.”
This is not the first time the issue of the lack of a doctor was raised and has dragged on some time. In 2011 it surfaced but the blame was put on management of the hospital itself on top of in house contentions affecting service delivery to the patients.

Indirectly while the Ministry of Health is yet to relay what plans it has for the Lolowai Hospital the minister’s response on the government’s stand of what’s to come perhaps was partly conveyed when last Friday minister Abel revealed the government’s commitment and policy direction that the Melsisi Health Centre could be developed to become the main Health Centre in PENAMA after the signing of a tripartite agreement between the Vanuatu Government, the France Embassy and Unelco.

This is because the upgrading and advancing work will enable Melsisi to be fully equipped in supplying power using modern and advanced technologies.
But it stands to reason if the government can supply the resources to existing health facilities then in terms of land and infrastructure Lolowai has it all and at the very least the people deserve a doctor.