Independent Group Raises Concerns over Gov’t Delegation’s Trip to Australia Amidst National Health Crisis
The Office of the Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament is raising serious concerns regarding the Government of National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) decision to send a large delegation, including ministers and backbenchers, on a week-long visit to Australia.
This decision, made by Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele, comes amidst pressing and life-threatening issues within the country that remain unresolved due to the current cash flow challenges faced by the government.
Leader of the Independent Group Hon. Peter Kenilorea Junior (PKJ), highlights that the Minister of Finance and Treasury has openly acknowledged the government’s rapidly deteriorating cash flow situation, which has led to significant constraints on funding essential services.
Despite the urgency of addressing these critical issues, the government has opted to allocate resources towards this overseas delegation.
“It is deeply concerning that resources are being directed towards international visits while critical medical supplies, including consumables and anaesthetic drugs, are in short supply at the National Referral Hospital operating theatre,” Kenilorea said.
“Patients in urgent need of surgical procedures are facing delays and cancellations, resulting in a strain on the healthcare system and, tragically, contributing to avoidable deaths to poor citizens.”
Doctors and healthcare professionals have consistently highlighted the dire shortage of basic medical supplies not only at the national level but also in area health clinics in Honiara and in centres across all nine provinces.
“It is disheartening to note that even constituencies represented by some members of the delegation are grappling with long-term shortages of essential drugs in area health centres within their constituencies, and yet they chose to support the government on the decision to eventuate the trip,” he said.
The Office of the Leader of the Independent Group urges the Minister of Finance and Treasury, as well as the Prime Minister, to re-evaluate such decisions and take immediate action to address pressing healthcare needs within the country.
“It is imperative that the government reassesses its allocation of resources to effectively manage the current cash flow crisis and prioritize the well-being of its citizens,” he added.
Over the past five years, the government has been seen disbursing public funds on payment of assets (land and buildings) that have no short-term to medium-term solutions to improve the current cash flow situation. As seen, the government continues to engage itself in disbursing public funds on questionable purchases of assets that public are knowledgeable of and perceives as not being in the country’s best interest but a few that orchestrated them.
The prioritization of these disbursements of public funds on those asset acquisitions over addressing domestic healthcare challenges reflects a misalignment of priorities within the government.
“The Prime Minister is called upon to provide transparent communication to the nation regarding this matter and ensure accountability in decision-making processes.”
