By RAYMOND POPNA, UPNG Journalism Student
PORT Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi says cancer is now the leading cause of death from lifestyle diseases in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Dr Molumi made the statement during the official opening of the PNG Training Institute for Allied Health at the Flowtint Training Centre in Waigani, Port Moresby, on Tuesday, October 27.
He said stroke, heart disease and chronic kidney disease were also among the leading lifestyle-related diseases affecting the country.
Dr Molumi said the institute would provide practical training to develop the next generation of cancer specialists, including medical physicists, radiation therapists, clinical and paediatric specialists, and oncologists, to improve cancer care in PNG.
“Once fully functional, the comprehensive cancer centre will be a one-stop-shop where cancers can be detected early and cured locally, preventing families from spending huge amounts of money abroad,” Dr Molumi said.
He said the centre would help save lives and reduce the amount of money Papua New Guineans spend seeking cancer treatment overseas. It could also attract patients from other Pacific Island countries, creating opportunities for medical tourism.
Dr Molumi said the institute would support early screening programs, including mammograms and cervical cancer checks, across the South Pacific through telemedicine.
He added that the initiative would strengthen PMGH’s role as the country’s national tertiary, referral, research and teaching hospital while supporting government health priorities.
“The benefit is already showing, with PNG staff trained in Sri Lanka, China and Australia now coming together as a team to own and run the service, supported by newly approved curricula and international experts from the University of Colombo and Australia,” he said.