ABG signs Agreement with Indian Pharmaceutical Company to improve medical supply and distribution in AROB
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with an Indian pharmaceutical company to supply essential medical supplies, commodities, and consumables needed to deliver health services across Bougainville.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Minister for Health Hon. Dennis Lokonai, Health Secretary Clement Totavun, Director of Budget from the ABG Department of Finance and Treasury Mr. Justin Teneke, Medall Health Care Director and Pharmacist Saravanan Loganathan, and Medall Distribution Manager Sathish Elvmalai.
In his remarks, Health Secretary Clement Totavun acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by Bougainville’s health system in accessing vital medicines due to delays from the National Department of Health.
“The procurement of medical supplies remains a national function. The National Department of Health procures medicines and is distributed to all the provinces including Bougainville,” he said.
Totavun highlighted that frequent shortages of common medical supplies, particularly in rural hospitals and health centres, have hindered the delivery of basic health services.
“Many times the region faces shortages interms of medical supplies because of the delays in the distribution or short supply of the common supplies of medicines we need in our hospitals and health facilities out there in the rural areas,” he said.
He further noted that with the support of the Minister for Health, the ABG Government, and the Department of Treasury, a way forward has been reached through engaging an independent medical supplier.
“So, with the support of our Minister and ABG Government and with the support also from our Treasury Department come to an agreement and the way forward for us is to engage with a medical supplier, who can be able to supply those medicines where we are able to purchase locally,” Totavun added.
Totavun thanked the ABG and acknowledged Medall Health Care Limited, saying the company is proud to support the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
“The health system is starting in a small way to address the gaps, to address the shortage of medicines we face every day in our hospitals and health facility,” he said.
He also confirmed that the department has commenced procurement of medical supplies valued at K1.3 million from two suppliers — Medall Health Care and a local supplier. He emphasized that this agreement is a positive step in addressing medical shortages while discussions on the drawdown of health powers between the National Government and Bougainville continue.
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