Enga’s Sopas District Hospital is undergoing a major transformation with the construction of a state-of-the-art surgical complex, aimed at improving healthcare delivery for thousands of patients across the province and surrounding areas. The new duplex facility is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s surgical capabilities and service reach.
The new complex will feature a four-room operating theatre on the ground floor, while the upper level will accommodate consultation clinics, a doctors’ office, and a training and conference room. This development will replace the aging two-room theatre that has served the hospital for years under mounting pressure from increasing patient numbers. Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management, Ms. Taies Sansan, has raised alarm over the worsening shortage of health workers in Papua New Guinea, warning that the country’s health system is buckling under the pressure. Speaking at the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, she revealed that although there are 20,929 health workers nationwide, this number is inadequate when compared to the population’s growing healthcare needs.
Over 7,000 Pregnant Women Treated on Floor at PNG's PMGH in 2024, Says Leading Obstetrician4/21/2025
Port Moresby — A senior medical professional has raised alarm over ongoing overcrowding at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), revealing that more than 7,000 pregnant women were treated on the floor of the hospital’s maternity ward last year due to a chronic lack of space and resources.
Professor Glen Mola, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Papua New Guinea and PMGH, took to social media yesterday to highlight the dire conditions patients and staff continue to face. According to Mola, thousands of women received critical maternal care while lying on the floor — in admission areas, birthing rooms, and post-natal wards. “This situation is both humiliating and degrading for the patients and for the medical staff,” he wrote. “We’ve reported it to the hospital’s management repeatedly, but nothing has changed.” Leaders in Papua New Guinea have celebrated the latest cohort of nursing graduates from Kundiawa College of Nursing, hailing them as "guardians of hope" for the nation's healthcare system. During the 5th graduation ceremony, Health Minister Elias Kapavore and Simbu Governor Noah Kool joined other dignitaries to commend the new professionals for their dedication and potential to transform healthcare delivery across the country.
In his keynote address, Health Minister Elias Kapavore urged the graduates to maintain professionalism and strive for excellence in their careers. He emphasized the importance of thinking beyond traditional roles and encouraged the nurses to innovate and elevate the standards of healthcare in PNG. “Nursing is a unique profession,” Kapavore remarked, highlighting the critical role nurses play in responding to emergencies and providing care around the clock, whether in hospitals, health facilities, or community settings. Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) has welcomed a visiting medical team from SingHealth and KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore to collaborate on paediatric surgery training and surgical partnerships. The team will work closely with PMGH’s paediatric and surgical unit from March 12 to 18.
According to PMGH, the visit aims to enhance surgical capacity through specialized training, focusing on minimally invasive procedures. The collaboration is expected to improve patient outcomes and strengthen long-term professional ties between the institutions. PMGH expressed appreciation for the expertise of the visiting specialists, emphasizing the benefits of knowledge-sharing and skill development for local medical teams. On Wednesday, 19th February 2025, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) proudly welcomed Dr. Ramez Alhazzaa, First Secretary Health of the Australian High Commission, to our headquarters for a special occasion—the announcement of the winner of the inaugural Alpers Award for Excellence in Health Research.
This prestigious award honors the legacy of the late Professor Michael Alpers, who dedicated his career to advancing health and medical research in Papua New Guinea during his tenure as PNGIMR Director from 1977 to 2000. The award’s first recipient, Ms. Susina Yatapya, a dedicated nurse-midwife, was recognized for her outstanding work on malaria in pregnancy in Central Province. Papua New Guinea has marked a historic milestone with the successful graduation of its first two trained Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Mr. Gibson Pakea and Ms. Jublinta Peter. The pair completed their specialized training at the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka, paving the way for advanced diagnostic and treatment services in the country.
As pioneers in this specialized field, Mr. Pakea and Ms. Peter will play an integral role in Port Moresby General Hospital’s (PMGH) newly established Nuclear Medicine Facility. This state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in PNG and is expected to address critical health challenges such as cancer and heart disease. The Papua New Guinea government has announced a K1 million financial support package for Laloki Psychiatric Hospital to address its critical operational challenges.
This intervention follows revelations that the hospital was functioning on a meager budget, with just K2,600 remaining in its accounts, allocated solely for patients' food supplies. In response to this dire situation, the Department of Health, through Health Secretary Dr. Osborne Liko, pledged the funding to sustain the hospital's operations. A Chinese medical team will be conducting free breast cancer screenings for the wives, daughters, and female officers of the Papua New Guinea National Capital District (NCD) and Central Provincial Commands.
The screenings are part of a new initiative by NCD/Central Police Commander Benjamin Turi, who recently assumed his role and advocated for this healthcare support for police families. Commander Turi explained that police officers often struggle to find time for hospital visits due to the demands of their work, which can limit their families' access to necessary health services. The people of Aitape-Lumi and Nuku Districts in Sandaun Province now have improved access to diagnostic services following the launch of a new X-ray machine at Raihu District Hospital in Aitape. The X-Air Portable X-ray Unit, donated by Misereor, the German Catholic Bishops’ Organization for Development Cooperation, was inaugurated on October 3, 2024.
With the new X-ray unit, healthcare services in the region are set to benefit over 24,000 residents each year, marking a significant milestone in healthcare delivery for rural communities. Previously, patients had to undertake long journeys for basic imaging services, but this initiative now allows for enhanced diagnostic capabilities within the two districts. |
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