STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH ON ALLEGATIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIMS BY THE OUTGOING ACTING HEALTH SECRETARY

I have noted with serious concern the statements being circulated on social media and other platforms by the former Acting Secretary for Health, Ken Wai, with misleading allegations, including claims that his removal from office was influenced by the Minister for Health and that I improperly sided with or favoured Dr Daoni Esorom in appointments within the National Department of Health.

Mr. Wai is a seasoned health professional, and I have always accorded him respect.

However, the continued proliferation and fabrication of allegations through social media platforms can not be ignored, particularly when they undermine public confidence in established institutions and distract from the critical work of the health sector.

I did not participate in shortlisting, assessment, or selection, nor did I provide preference to any candidate.

Any suggestion to the contrary is false.

The appointment of Mr. Pascoe Kase as Secretary for Health followed a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process conducted strictly in accordance with established public service procedures.

The process was independently facilitated by the Department of Personnel Management, the Public Service Commission, and a reputable external human resource firm, Vanguard International.

The outcome of this process was subsequently presented to the National Executive Council, which made its decision in the best interests of the health sector and the country.

This decision has been clearly explained by both the Prime Minister and the Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management, and has received broad support and commendation from Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officers, Chairman of the National Health Board and the PNG Medical Board, the Health Extension Officers (HEO) Workers Association, the Nurses Association. the Health Support Workers Association, senior academics including Professor Tefuarani and the academic leadership of the newly established University of Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as the Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea.

There has also been deliberate misrepresentation of the Department of Personnel Management policy regarding term limits for departmental heads. As clearly advised by the secretary for the Department of Personnel Management, Mrs. Taies Sansan, the policy does not impose a permanent prohibition on former departmental heads from reappointment. It allows eligible public servants to reapply, provided they have completed their terms and have been out of active public service for the prescribed qualifying period.

DPM confirmed that Mr Pascoe Kase had been out of the public service for five years following the completion of his two terms as a departmental head and therefore met all eligibility requirements. His application was duly assessed, shortlisted, and cleared through all required processes before progressing through the appropriate approval mechanisms to NEC. There was no breach of policy, no selective application of rules, and no deviation from due process.

It is necessary to correct the public record on the central and material issue again regarding Mr. Ken Wai’s non-selection.

From the outset, Mr. Wai’s name was removed from the shortlist forwarded by the Public Service Commission to NEC due to serious and substantiated integrity concerns arising from multiple and inconsistent records of his date of birth. Available documentation clearly demonstrates that Mr. Wai altered and presented different birth dates on at least three separate occasions, reflected across his birth certificates, statutory declaration, and passport. Further, these altered details were subsequently entered into the ALESCO payroll system in collaboration with the Human Resource Manager at the National Department of Health. All records evidencing these actions are available.

This conduct is fraudulent in nature and constitutes a serious breach of integrity and trust, wholly incompatible with the standards expected of a Secretary for Health. It was this documented conduct and nothing else that disqualified Mr. Wai from proceeding beyond the shortlisting stage. It was not the action of the Minister for Health, nor the Prime Minister, nor any political authority. It was the direct consequence of Mr. Wai’s own actions.

Mr. Wai has also alleged that I improperly directed or favored the appointment of Dr. Daoni Esorom to senior positions within the Department. This allegation is equally false and misleading. Any directives issued by me in relation to the appointment of a Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services were made strictly in my capacity as the Minister responsible and were driven by clear operational and governance priorities within the National Department of Health.

While progress was being made in clinical standards and governance, there were persistent inefficiencies, weak coordination, and high levels of underperformance within the department’s corporate functions, which oversee finance, human resources, medical supplies, Provincial Health Authority operations, partnerships, and international collaborations. These weaknesses were directly affecting service delivery, development partner confidence, and the effective implementation of key reforms.

I am fully aware that Dr. Daoni Esorom responded to previous allegations raised against him and was duly cleared. His professional record includes demonstrated leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, the restoration of order at Laloki Psychiatric Hospital, the timely progression of the National Anaesthetic and Obstetrics Policy which enabled NEC approval and the subsequent successful kidney transplant program, and the long-outstanding transfer of Buka Hospital functions to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

These were critical matters that had remained unresolved for an extended period.

At the same time, a number of significant and long-standing priorities remained unaddressed, including the implementation of the NEC decision to establish the Health Services Commission to address the direct deployment of health workers after graduation, the establishment of a central Project Management Unit to coordinate PIP-funded infrastructure projects for PHAs in collaboration with development partners, poorly coordinated medical supply reforms, non-standardisation of PHA executive and specialist positions, weak human resource and financial coordination with DPM and the Department of Finance, outstanding bilateral Memoranda of Agreement with limited or uncoordinated implementation, and long-overdue amendments to health laws and policies. These issues, among others, have contributed to the current state of ineffective and inefficient functioning within the National Department of Health.

It was solely for these reasons, and in the best interests of strengthening corporate governance and operational efficiency, that I issued clear instructions to Mr Wai to recruit Dr Daoni Esorom to assist in improving the performance of the department’s corporate services.

Instead, Mr. Wai appointed a junior officer to act in the role, a decision that raised serious concerns among our development partners. Despite repeated directives to address this matter, the appointment was not effected, and the junior officer subsequently left the position abruptly.

As the Minister responsible and as a long-serving health professional, I was deeply concerned by the manner in which the department was being led.

The WhatsApp messages now being selectively referenced were made with no sinister intent and solely in the best interests of restoring effective leadership, governance, and performance within the department.

I therefore urge Mr Ken Wai to respect himself, respect the institutions of the state, and respect the decision of the National Executive Council.

Attempts to relitigate this matter through social media only serve to undermine stability within the health sector at a time when continuity and focus are essential.

As we enter the festive season, I call on all stakeholders and partners to remain focused and to continue supporting the Marape–Rosso Government in delivering accessible, reliable, and quality health care to the people of Papua New Guinea.

Let us refrain from the spread of malice and misinformation and instead engage in responsible leadership and reasoned dialogue that rekindles hope for a stronger and healthier future for our nation.

I wish to take this opportunity also to extend my sincere appreciation to all health workers, administrators, professionals, and partners across the country for their dedication and service throughout what has been a challenging year.

On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Health, I wish everyone in the health sector a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May this festive season be a time of rest, renewal, and reflection, and may the year ahead strengthen our collective commitment to unity, professionalism, and the delivery of quality health care for all Papua New Guineans.

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HON. ELIAS KAPAVORE, MP.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH