By SEPKOLIN WALNE
Opposition Leader and Member for Chuave, Hon. James Nomane, has challenged Health Minister Hon Elias Kapavore over the K3.2 billion health budget for 2026.
He was demanding answers on behalf of mothers forced to give birth on hospital floors due to inadequate maternity services.
Nomane stressed that this issue was first raised publicly in 2025 and has resurfaced in 2026, despite the historic allocation of K3.2 billion to the health sector. He noted that, to date, the Minister has only stated that funds have not yet reached hospitals.
“This health crisis is affecting the nation; it’s not by mistake, it’s not by faith, it’s not by happenstance. It’s either because of corruption, incompetence, or both. Now the good minister has to tell the country what steps he has taken to ensure that no more mothers give birth on hospital floors and that funding is directly allocated to all health facilities across the country,” Nomane said.
In response, Minister Kapavore urged against blame, explaining that the challenges stem from the health system’s structure. He outlined that Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) is designated as a level-6 hospital, with provincial hospitals classified as level-5 and primary health facilities as levels 1–4.
“PMGH should only serve as a level-6 hospital, with funding allocated specifically for cardiac, kidney, and cancer services. At the moment, they are using this funding to look after everyone. If we improve our lower-level hospitals, those mothers wouldn’t have to go there for deliveries,” Kapavore said.