By DALCY LULUA
THE National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to transfer the management and operations of Buka General Hospital to the ABG.
The agreement was signed PNG Health Minister Elias Kapavore and his ABG counterpart, Dennis Lokonai, and witnessed by senior health officials recently.
It marks a milestone in the ongoing transition of powers from the National Government to the ABG, as outlined in the Bougainville Peace Agreement and related autonomy arrangements.
The MoA signifies the official handover of responsibilities, including governance, funding administration, human resource management, and service delivery at Buka General Hospital — the region’s main referral hospital.
Minister Kapavore said the agreement was part of the National Government’s commitment to empowering the people of Bougainville and strengthening local ownership of essential public services.
“This is a critical step forward in Bougainville’s autonomy journey. Transferring health services like Buka Hospital means the people of Bougainville will have more control over how healthcare is delivered in their communities.”
He said the agreement was part of the ongoing process of functions transfer in the health sector, which involved the gradual transfer of three key health powers still retained by the National Department of Health: These were: Buka General Hospital; Procurement of Medical Supplies; and National Health Standards and Compliance.
Mr Kavapore added that the National Department of Health would maintain close collaboration with the ABG to uphold health service standards, manage procurement through the Pharmacy Board, and progressively hand over responsibilities like the registration of health workers in line with Bougainville’s growing capacity.
ABG Health Minister Dennis Lokonai welcomed the agreement and said the ABG was ready to take on the challenge of managing and improving hospital services to better meet the needs of Bougainvilleans.
“Our vision is to build a resilient, responsive, and people-focused health system. Taking over Buka Hospital is just the beginning,” he said.
The hospital has played a central role in delivering healthcare
services across Bougainville and will now operate under the full oversight of the ABG Department of Health.
The transition is expected to be gradual, with joint technical teams ensuring a smooth handover of administrative functions, medical staff, and funding responsibilities.
The signing of the MoA comes as Bougainville continues to prepare for its political future, with autonomy arrangements being gradually implemented while consultations on the outcome of the 2019 independence referendum are ongoing.
Authorities from both governments expressed confidence that the transfer of Buka Hospital would pave the way for broader reforms and improved healthcare access across the region.