Council/Board Members

Related Information

NDOH Representative

Mr Malcolm Sabak

Malcolm Sabak, Acting Executive Manager Medical Supplies Procurement & Distribution National Department of Health. A result oriented career officer who has served the National Department of Health supply chain management as a Pharmacist for over 19 years. Started as a junior pharmacist at the then Goroka Hospital Pharmacy now Eastern Highlands Provincial Hospital in 2006. Transferred to Lae Area Medical Store in 2011 and to Medical Supplies Division, National Department of Health HQ in 2021 overseeing the entire procurement and supply management system for Papua New Guinea’s pharmaceutical needs.

Currently leading a team of experienced pharmacists and other dedicated officers from other cadre of profession to drive changes and reform the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Believes in the PLICIT values; Professionalism, Loyal, Integrity, Courage, Innovation and Teamwork

Provincial Hospital Authority Representative

Mr Benson Kewa

Benson P. Kewa, the Provincial Pharmacist for the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) in Papua New Guinea, oversees healthcare services across Port Moresby, including 23 urban clinics and Gerehu Hospital. After earning his Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2010 from the University of Papua New Guinea, he worked at Mount Hagen Hospital before joining NCDPHA in 2013. He later pursued a Master of Health Management at Queensland University of Technology in Australia, returning to NCDPHA in 2016 to enhance drug procurement and medical supply management. A dedicated professional, Benson has also been an active committee member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Papua New Guinea (PSPNG) since 2017, contributing to its activities and acknowledging the efforts of past and current executives.

Non-Government Representitive

Ms. Kaba Ula

Kaba Ula is a pharmacist with over 15 years of experience in Papua New Guinea’s public and private health sectors. She currently holds a senior leadership role with Burnet Institute PNG and serves as an Executive Member of the PNG Country Program, working closely with the Institute’s headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.

Kaba leads the UKAid-funded Fleming Fund Country Grant, a project focused on strengthening antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems using a One Health approach. Her project Team is also actively involved in developing PNG’s proposed national One Health Policy in collaboration with key government partners and UN agencies.

Her leadership highlights the evolving role of pharmacists in public health, AMR containment, health systems strengthening, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Private Sector Representative

Mrs. Tali Piokole

Tali Mefeae Piokole is a dedicated healthcare professional and entrepreneur. She studied at the University of Papua New Guinea, where she completed five years of study and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy.

Tali began her professional journey with City Pharmacy Ltd, working for three years as a pharmacist and shop manager. In 2007, she joined Johnstons Pharmacies Ltd, where she spent the next nine years as a pharmacist and branch manager, gaining extensive experience in both patient care and retail operations.

With over a decade of hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Tali took a bold step in entrepreneurship and founded her own retail pharmacy—Talis Pharmacy—a 100% locally owned business. Today, she is focused on expanding her brand and business.

Advisory Member Representative

Mr Graham Wavimbukie

Graham Wavimbukie is the Acting Manager of Procurement at the Medical Supplies Division of the National Department of Health, with over a decade of experience in pharmaceutical management across both the private sector and government. He specializes in procurement, quality control, and regulatory compliance, leading the development of the Medicines Quality Control Laboratory to strengthen medicine safety standards.

Beyond procurement, he has played a key role in Papua New Guinea’s national response to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), contributing to the National Action Plan. As a dedicated member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Papua New Guinea, he has helped shape the profession’s future, including drafting the Strategic Plan to advance pharmaceutical practices nationwide.

Pharmacy Board Representative

Mr. Vali Karo

Vali is an “old hand” with a science, pharmacy and business administration background. He has been with the National Department of Health since 1996 in various capacities as a manager.

Currently Vali oversees the Pharmaceutical Services Standards Branch regulatory functions and is Deputy Chairman, Pharmacy Board of Papua New Guinea and sees pharmacists’ playing a very important professional role in the regulatory space and at board level to expeditiously facilitate regulatory process towards achieving a “win-win” outcome.

Vali is an avid advocate for all pharmacists to be professional in their calling to be the true pillars of society, befitting the pharmacy profession.