Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has hailed the K2.86 billion allocation to the health sector in Papua New Guinea’s 2025 National Budget as a transformative milestone, particularly highlighting the development of specialised hospitals for heart and cancer care.
“This allocation is a testament to our government’s commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for every Papua New Guinean,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
“It addresses critical gaps in our health infrastructure, strengthens our workforce, and introduces specialised facilities that will save countless lives.”
The Prime Minister outlined key components of the healthcare budget, including plans to establish Papua New Guinea’s first specialised hospitals for heart and cancer care:
Key Highlights of the 2025 Health Budget: Specialised Hospitals Development:
• Cancer Care: K25 million allocated for the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Cancer Facility.
• Cardiology and Cardiovascular Care: K20 million for PMGH Heart/Cardiac Programme to establish advanced cardiac treatment facilities.
District and Provincial Hospitals Development:
• District Hospitals Program: K100 million allocated for constructing and upgrading district hospitals.
• Provincial Hospital Programme: K80 million dedicated to improving provincial hospital infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Services Improvement:
• K63.8 million under the Health Services Improvement Programme (Asian Development Bank).
• K33.8 million for the Health Impact Programme (International Development Association) to address targeted health outcomes.
New NCD Hospital:
• K40 million for the establishment of a modern hospital in the National Capital District.
Regional and Community Support:
• K10 million for Regional Area Medical Stores to improve medical supply distribution.
• K10 million for Community Health Workers’ training and resources.
Workforce and Training:
• K20 million allocated to the University of Medicine and Health Sciences to enhance training and capacity-building for healthcare professionals.
Prime Minister Marape highlighted: “By next year, Papua New Guinea should have world-class cancer and heart facilities operational, offering treatments that were previously only accessible overseas. These hospitals are designed to reduce the financial and emotional burden on families who have had to seek costly treatment abroad, particularly in Australia and Singapore.
“The need for specialised hospitals has been growing due to the increasing prevalence of non- communicable diseases in PNG, particularly heart disease and cancer. Over the past decade, limited access to advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities has led to preventable deaths. These hospitals aim to fill that gap, providing Papua New Guineans with cutting-edge medical care without leaving the country.
“These specialised hospitals represent a new era for healthcare in Papua New Guinea. No longer will our people need to travel abroad for treatment—we are bringing world-class care closer to home,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these projects.
“Our healthcare workers, provincial governments, and private partners must work together to realise this vision. These facilities will not only save lives but also inspire confidence in our healthcare system,” PM Marape stated.
“The 2025 healthcare budget positions Papua New Guinea on a path to better health outcomes through strategic investments in infrastructure, human resources, and specialised care.This is
more than just a budget; it is a commitment to the health and well-being of our people. Together, we can ensure a brighter, healthier future for all Papua New Guineans.”