West Sepik PHA partners with CPL to boost health services

The West Sepik Provincial Health Authority [WSPHA] has signed a Memorandum of Agreement [MOA] with City Pharmacy Limited [CPL Group] to strengthen the supply of essential medicines, medical consumables, and laboratory equipment in the province.

The agreement was signed on Friday at Vanimo Provincial Hospital, aiming to address long-standing shortages that have affected patients across West Sepik.

WSPHA Chief Executive Officer Stanley Masi said the partnership will enhance the authority to deliver health services.

“Our patients have been struggling to get essential drugs and consumables. It is time we redesign how we operate so we can better serve our people,” Masi said.

He thanked CPL Group CEO Ajay Patel and his team for travelling from Port Moresby to Vanimo for the signing ceremony.

Masi revealed that the provincial government and administration have strongly supported the initiative, with plans to increase funding beyond the initial K200,000 committed under the agreement.

Patel said the partnership is the beginning of a long-term collaboration to improve healthcare standards in West Sepik.

“CPL Group is a public listed company with nearly 40 years of service in this country. We are not owned by one person but by many Papua New Guineans,” he said.

The MOA includes a K200,000 credit facility, the installation of a hospital pharmacy, staff training in equipment maintenance, and improved logistics to reduce costly air freight.

CPL Group will also maintain sufficient stock of laboratory reagents for monthly deliveries and train local staff to carry out minor equipment repairs.

Both leaders believe this legacy project will continue to benefit the people of West Sepik in the future.

The signing was witnessed by board members and senior officials from both the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority and CPL Group.