THE Buka Hospital in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) is now formally recognised as a Public Hospital under the Public Hospital Act 1994, says Health Minister Elias Kapavore.
Health Minister Elias Kapavore made this statement while handing over the Hospital’s Declaration to Autonomous Bougainville Government’s (ABG) Health Minister Delourdes Semoso on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026.
“This declaration now paves the way for the establishment of Buka Hospital Board which has been nonexistent for many years,” Minister Kapavore said.
“The National Department of Health will continue to support ABG with health facilities, standard compliance and HR planning,” he added.
This small, yet, significant event is part of the overall transfer of powers from the Papua New Guinea Government to ABG.
The delegation was led by Minister Semoso and ABG’s acting Secretary for Health Mr. Alois Pukienei.
Secretary for Health Mr. Pascoe Kase said a meeting held prior to the handover of the Declaration, was to identify and draw down Health functions to the region to manage health services on Bougainville.
Mr. Kase said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the parties for draw down of Health functions on Monday, March 09th, 2026.
“In addition, a Working Committee was established to oversee these draw down functions,” Mr Kase said.
“Health Minister Hon. Elias Kapavore has declared the current Buka hospital as the General Hospital for AROB. This declaration now paves the way for a hospital board to be established, to provide governance oversight over the hospital after almost 35 years.
“AROB government can now nominate proposed board members to the National Minister for Health to take to National Executive Council for approval.
“We all appreciate and thank the AROB Minister for Health, acting Secretary for Health, and the delegation for visiting the Health Department and Ministry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Semoso was also handed copy of National Health Infrastructure Plan 2025-2035.