1 April 2022
According to the Solomon Star newspaper today, the Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is sorting out outstanding payments which have allegedly affected services at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).
In a statement, the Ministry said it is addressing shortages of some food items and oxygen bottles at NRH as reported earlier this week.
The shortages were due to outstanding payments, yet to be settled with the suppliers of both food and oxygen bottles, for some parts of 2019, early 2020, and December 2021.
“Payments for the rest of those years’ bills have already been paid. The Ministry of Health together with Finance and Treasury are working to expedite payments for the outstanding payments,” the statement said.
The Ministry added that currently 23 oxygen bottles are with NRH and are now being reserved only for emergency theatre operations.
All clinicians in the wards have been advised to use oxygen concentrators for now for admitted patients,” the statement said.
All fresh vegetables, fruit, root crops, fish, poultry, and meat products are still available in adequate supply for current demand, the statement assured.
“It is the dry goods and condiments that are either out of stock or in short supply. These include rice, tuna, milk, sugar, Milo, and tea bags.
“While multiple factors both internal and external to the Ministry have caused the delay in addressing payments, the Health Ministry would like to assure you that it is working together with the Ministry of Finance to expedite the outstanding payments and restore the supplies of the needed goods at the earliest,” the statement said.
For food supplies, payment instructions have been raised with the Ministry of Finance and the MHMS will be following up, the statement added.
“The MHMS has also reached out to the food suppliers discussing the shortages with assurances that payments will be made.
“Both parties have come to a common understanding on better ways forward on the issue of payments. The supplier will resume delivery of food items this week.
“Likewise, for oxygen bottles, the Ministry of Finance through its Central Tender Board is assisting and supporting the Ministry of Health in expediting outstanding payments.
The MHMS will reach out to the supplier to provide an update and assurance of payment with the hope that the usual twice a week supplies of oxygen bottles can be restored immediately,” the statement said.
Additionally, the current mechanism in place for oxygen bottle payments is being assessed by the MHMS to explore means by which it could be done better.
The Ministry of Health has sincerely apologized to its patients affected by the shortage of items and given an assurance that it is doing its best to resolve the matters as soon as possible.
Source – Solomon Star news.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
