The National government and Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGH) are moving ahead with plans for a new 300-bed women’s and children’s hospital in Port Moresby as maternity services at the national referral hospital continue to face heavy pressure from rising patient numbers, PNG Health Minister Elias Kapavore has announced.
Minister Kapavore in a statement today said a master plan for PMGH has already identified land for the K500 million project and a National Executive Council submission has been prepared to fast-track the tender process.
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Minister Kapavore said the new hospital proposal comes as PMGH records about 17,000 births each year-around 60 deliveries daily-in a labour ward equipped with only 25 beds.
The minister issued the statement following public concerns raised by obstetrician Prof. Glen Mola over maternity care conditions at PMGH.
He acknowledged that population growth and migration into the capital are placing increasing strain on facilities and staff.
He said PMGH, as the country’s Level-6 national referral and teaching hospital, was intended to provide specialist medical services, including treatment for complex illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and kidney disease, while lower-level hospitals and clinics should manage primary and secondary health care services.
Minister Kapavore said weaknesses in district and provincial health systems were contributing to overcrowding at PMGH, particularly in maternity services.
To ease pressure on the hospital, the National Department of Health has directed the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority to increase operating shifts at the new Metoreia Urban Clinic in Moresby Northwest, which currently has three underused delivery beds.
He said ongoing renovations at Gerehu Hospital would add four delivery beds and upgraded maternity services by November this year, while improvements at Kaugere District Hospital would provide another three delivery beds.
According to the minister, the additional facilities would raise the number of maternity delivery beds across the National Capital District to 35, including those at PMGH.
Minister Kapavore also pointed to recent upgrades outside Port Moresby, including the commissioning of a maternity ward with two delivery beds at Kwikila District Hospital in Rigo District.
He said the new Agevaru Health Centre in Kairuku District, funded through support from the Asian Development Bank and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is expected to open later this year with additional maternity services and two delivery beds.
In Gulf Province, Minister Kapavore said renovations at Kerema Hospital had added new delivery beds and upgraded maternity facilities. He also confirmed plans to commission the upgraded hospital projects before the end of May.
Minister Kapavore said health authorities in NCD, Central and Gulf provinces are continuing to work together to improve access to frontline health services and reduce patient congestion at the national referral hospital.