Papua New Guinea's health minister says there's no crisis in the country's health system.
Sir Puka Temu Photo: AFP
Sir Puka Temu told parliament that despite opposition claims of a crisis, the country had a surplus of medicines.
In the past two years, many rural health clinics have closed, and the country has seen the re-emergence of diseases like tuberculosis and polio.
Increasingly agitated doctors have spoken of hospitals running out of basic medicines and supplies, and staff going weeks without pay.
But Sir Puka Temu said the health system is not in crisis and it was in a much better state than twelve months ago.
He said many of the needed drugs were now in the country, and that procurement systems had been adjusted.
Sir Puka also said the health budget had been increased to US$61 million.
This comes after years of budget cuts.