Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has extended his heartfelt thanks to a team of PNG and UK- based kidney specialists for successfully performing a kidney transplant operation—the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific—at Port Moresby General Hospital this week.
The 14th of May 2025 will be remembered as a historic date for the nation, marking a major medical breakthrough in which kidneys from two donors were successfully transplanted into two female recipients.
Prime Minister Marape described the event as “wonderful news” and praised those involved as “angels God sent to save the lives of ordinary PNG citizens.
“I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, representing my country PNG,”he said.
The Prime Minister made these remarks at a dinner he hosted on Friday, 16 May 2025 to honour and farewell a team of UK-based specialist nurses, doctors, surgeons, and nephrologists from the Transplant Links Community (TLC), who were instrumental in the entire transplant process.
TLC is a UK-based organisation that trains surgeons, doctors, nurses, and hospital teams in kidney transplantation, empowering them to eventually perform such procedures independently. They teamed up with PNG doctors and nurses in this kidney transplant program.
Prime Minister Marape thanked everyone involved in the operation and said the outcome was a resounding success.
“The fact that the two patients were able to produce urine after the operations is an encouragement that the transplant was successful. This would not have been possible without the brains. And I want to say, you all are the hands of angels waiting for our kidney patients in Port Moresby, making this moment possible,” he said
He added, “There is no greater satisfaction in life than to serve others, and to- night, I want to say thank you to those who have helped preserve life and put a smile on the faces of the patients. This includes the two kidney donors and their families, and the medical team.
“Let me say thank you very much to those who became angels of God in making sure a smile was restored on the faces of our two strong women. They are mothers of families, communities-they are part of the family of mothers of our country, and so it’s worth saving them.”
The Prime Minister encouraged the PNG medical community to continue such vital work and assured them of the National Government’s support.
“Let us move beyond our comfort zones and cross barriers to achieve such things as we have achieved this week. The date 14th May 2025 will forever be etched into Papua New Guinea’s history. That is the date on which we made a giant leap in the development of our own medical services. May God bless every one of you,” said Prime Minister Marape.
He also extended his gratitude to the Transplant Links Community team for their unwavering support and collaboration with PNG’s medical professionals.
“Thank you very much to our friends from the Transplant Links Community-the team of nurses, doctors, surgeons, and technical staff. Thank you for coming to PNG all the way from the United Kingdom to be part of this life-saving journey in our country.
“You are part of that history, and we will forever be grateful and value your invaluable contributions in saving the lives of these two mothers.
“God made humanity in his image to be angels through time-and so you have become angels to Papua New Guinea. Your work, with love, care, and com- passion to serve all, is a cycle of love and humanity that must permeate a world that is too often torn apart by corporate greed and poverty. I ask that you also pass on our gratitude to those who sponsor you in this journey-for saving lives.”
“I know one of your nephrologists is staying behind to monitor the care of the two transplant patients—we thank you sincerely. And for those returning to the UK, may the God of my ancestors and the God of my country protect each and every one of you, so that your lives may remain fulfilling as you continue to give smiles, hope, and blessings to those who need them most.”
Thank you to all of us. Let’s enjoy this moment-but more importantly, don’t stop working. Don’t stop breaking new ground,” said Prime Minister Marape.
The Prime Minister concluded by thanking the Port Moresby General Hospital management, led by CEO Dr. Paki Molumi, as well as all technical staff, nurses, caregivers, and the families of the kidney donors and recipients.
This significant achievement also aligns with Prime Minister Marape’s long- standing vision for the country’s health sector. Since taking office, he has emphasised that no citizen should walk more than an hour to reach the nearest clinic or hospital, and that Papua New Guineans should not have to travel overseas for specialised medical treatment and surgeries such as heart or kidney transplants. The successful transplant operation marks a significant step toward realising such national goal.
The National Government has also funded the building of a cancer treatment facility under construction at the Port Moresby General Hospital, which serves as the country’s national referral, specialist care, and teaching hospital—all in one.