Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner, David Manning, has launched a criminal investigation into the Department of Health.
Papua New Guinea police commissioner David Manning Photo: Supplied
That comes after allegations revealed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) identified criminal culpability by several senior health department officials.
While the PAC had suspended its inquiry until the New Year, police had a moral obligation to take appropriate action, he said.
Police understood the process of the PAC inquiries, but if there was sufficient evidence then police would conduct separate investigations and take action where necessary.
The team would have an investigation plan ready before the end of the week, with the actual investigation expected to start Thursday or Friday.