Papua New Guinea's Secretary of Health Dr Nicholas Mann says he hopes new Government support will reverse a years' long decline in staff numbers which is threatening the provision of even basic services.
The Health Minister, Sir Peter Barter, wants a plan drawn up on how to address critical shortages of doctors, nurses and community health workers.
Dr Mann says Sir Peter has reiterated what the department has been trying to highlight for years.
"We have proposals that we've requested for departments that are responsible for authorising the creation of positions, authorising additional budget for payments and so on. We are hoping the minister raising this matter on our behalf will be taken heed of."
Dr Nicholas Mann.
