Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has launched a blistering attack on the Marape Government, accusing it of plunging the country deeper into debt while hospitals across Papua New Guinea continue to run out of essential medicines.
O’Neill said the government had taken on “another K1 billion in new loans” only weeks after withdrawing more than K1 billion in dividends from Kumul Minerals, pushing total fresh financing to K2 billion within a matter of weeks.
“The latest borrowings include K600 million for the politically convenient Connect PNG program and K400 million from the Asian Development Bank for general budget support,”
“That’s K2 billion raised in just a couple of weeks—but still no medicines,” he said.
The former PM called the situation a national disgrace, saying the government was prioritising politically driven programs and general spending over lifesaving medical supplies.
His attack follows Prime Minister James Marape’s remarks last Friday, where he told health workers to “do more with less”, conceding that the government is facing a serious cash shortage and that funds cannot yet be released to purchase critical drugs.
Marape also urged doctors and nurses to stop complaining about lack of funding, instead urging them to “focus on patient outcomes” and show patriotism through their work.
“Real patriotism is shown when professionals work for the good of the country, not just for pay checks,” Marape said. “Health workers must be efficient and resourceful in how they use what is available.”
O’Neill said the Prime Minister’s comments were insensitive and contradictory.
“Three weeks ago he was blaming Governors and Provincial Health Authorities, saying the medicine budget had already been spent. Now he is blaming doctors and nurses while admitting there is no money left to buy medicines. Which one is it?” O’Neill asked.
He said the public was exhausted by repeated shortages of antibiotics, painkillers and basic medical consumables, describing the current crisis as one created by government negligence.
“The public is frustrated by these chronic shortages affecting hospitals nationwide. People are suffering and dying unnecessarily because this government has failed to purchase essential drugs. That is the painful reality,” O’Neill said.
He said hospitals were meant to be places of healing, but doctors and nurses could not save lives when they lacked the most basic tools.
“Our health workers are experts in care, but how can patients recover when essential medicines are unavailable?” he asked.
O’Neill questioned why the government was able to find billions for other programs while failing to restock the country’s drug supply.
“People want answers on why billions of kina continue to be committed elsewhere while essential drugs remain out of stock. It is simply not acceptable for Papua New Guineans to be left without medicines while another K2 billion flows into what many see as a Waigani slush fund.” O’Neill said.
He called for an immediate halt to the Connect PNG program, which he labelled “corrupt”, and demanded that funds be redirected to emergency medical supplies.
“If the money is not going to relieve our people’s suffering, then where is it going? Just stop the corrupt Connect PNG and buy medicines,” O’Neill added.
The government has not yet responded to O’Neill’s latest criticism.
The government has not yet responded to O’Neill’s latest criticism.
