A letter addressing to Prime Minister from National Doctors Association

By Dr. Sam Yockopua - Secretary, National Doctors Association

My dear Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape.

On behalf of the National Doctors Association of PNG (NDA), I congratulate you for being elected the 8th Prime Minister of PNG. Personally as your brother and Hela man, I pay respect to you wholeheartedly.

As you stated it loud and clear, we can easily transform PNG into a richest Christian black nation if you start by putting the right people into the various positions.

Only 3 messages:

1. Get the best MPs, mixture of young & energetic, old & wise to be your Ministers. Get people who know the ins and outs of the organization they would serve; for example, Sir Puka Temu or Dr Lino Tom for Ministry for Health. There are some colorful men out there in the Opposition camp, and there are others in the Government and backbenchers. You have that wisdom in you, and this is the right time to showcase it.

2. Reboot the Departments, Government Agencies and the Heads. Get people who know their jobs, those with ideas and energy. Those who will be able to produce results at a moment's notice. Get people who know the subject, trained, experienced and the passion. Highly specialized Departments like Health, Education, Agriculture, Fisheries, Foresty, etc NEED appropriately trained people. For example, Health Department NEEDS a medical or health background for the Health Secretary post. Similarly, an agriculture background for NARI, and so forth. Avoid nepotism and wantokism!

3. Promote the use of "third eye"; the whistleblowers, Facebook, Unions, hotline numbers, CCTV, and media freedom. Crucial information can be achieved from the "third eye", especially the hidden truths or deliberate lies, because you have been ready armed. In fear of being watched, caught or reported; productivity and honesty will prevail at work place at every level.

You need to create a functional system that you only need to supervise, which you rightly stated in your maiden speech as the musical orchestra. Just like an assembly line, that every system knows its functions, time, and the product. Once these are functional, the rest will ensue. Friends and wantok are ok, but as we know we cannot mix business with pleasure.

Best wishes sir.

Dr. Sam Yockopua, MB.BS, DA, MMed(EM)
Secretary, National Doctors Association
31st May 2019