Adapted from a story by ELIZABETH MIAE

POLITICIANS are to blame for the poor state of Papua New Guinea’s maternal health, says prominent gynecologist, Dr Glen Mola. 

“Five women die daily, but the Government ignores the problem. Women are not important as far as politicians are concerned. Women can just die when having their babies, em samting nating (it’s nothing). Is that what politicians think? That women are disposable?” he says.

“We have done everything we can, we have struggled trying to provide services with virtually no resources and the Government does not fund the health system. The minister does not understand what is important in the health sector. He should be telling the Government what is important and what needs to be done,”

Dr Mola says the National Health Plan 2000-10 stated that every health centre in the country would have a mid-wife. But this has not been achieved. “The plan is ending in a few months and we do not have a mid-wife in every health centre nationwide."

Dr Mola is also disappointed that the maternal health improvement task force report, that was given to Health and AIDS Minister Sasa Zibe in August, has not been launched. The report was compiled by Dr Mola and four others after results from the demographic health survey revealed alarming figures of maternal mortality in the country. In response to that report, the minister appointed the task force to investigate maternal health problems.

Analysis of each province and district were conducted to find out why mothers were dying, the cost of improving health facilities and solutions to improving maternal health on the agenda.

“The report was given to the minister in August, yet he has not presented it to Parliament. He didn’t even ask the team to present it to him until last month."

Mr Zibe could not be reached for comments as he is again out of the country