Madang PHA told to strengthen board ties
The Madang Provincial Health Authority [PHA] has been directed to work more closely with its board to ensure the effective delivery of health services to the province.
National Department of Health Manager for Policy, Planning, and Economics, Agnes Pawiong, issued the directive during a three-day stakeholder consultation on the Madang Provincial Health Plan 2025-2036 last week.
Ms. Pawiong emphasized that the PHA must maintain transparency with its board, particularly regarding Service Level Agreements [SLAs] and partnerships.
"If you are entering into any agreement, the board must know," Pawiong said. "This is so they know exactly what is in the partnership and how to work with the District Development Authorities [DDAs] and the provincial government."
She said majority of board members must agree and sign off on any partnership through a formal board decision.
According to Pawiong, it is the responsibility of the PHA’s technical team to properly explain the contents of such agreements to board members to facilitate informed decision-making.
She said this internal process is vital for the Health Minister’s own deliberations.
"Sometimes when the Minister is not well-informed, he can make decisions that we will not like," she said.
Pawiong explained that the Health Minister has delegated significant powers to the PHA boards to act as policy influencers. This is reflected in the board's diverse composition, which includes the Provincial Administrator and representatives from district services.
"The board is there to make this happen. The board is also the buffer between the bureaucracy and politics," she said. "When the CEO has a problem, he cannot go straight to the Governor or the Minister. He goes to the board chairman."
Pawiong reiterated that because funding and powers have been decentralized to the PHAs, provinces can no longer defer every issue to the National Department.
She further outlined a historical lack of coordination between PHA officers, provincial governments, and DDAs, saying that some district health managers were not physically present in their districts.
"Health is very complex. Our provincial government and DDA members do not always understand these complexities. That is why we must break it down for them in simple layman’s terms," she said.
She urged the PHA to ensure all members participate in the upcoming strategic plan to accurately reflect the state of health services in Madang.
"We must learn to tell the truth and document the current situation properly. Once we know the status of Madang Province, it is easier for us to design the strategies for intervention," Pawiong said.