NINETY-NINE children were screened for heart conditions on 9–10 September 2026 as part of the National Cardiac “Flying Doctors” Screening Program at the Goroka General Hospital, Eastern Highlands Province.
This is the highest number of patients screened for this year’s program.
The screening was conducted by Dr. Diana Olita’a, Senior Paediatrician with the National Department of Health and Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), together with Dr. Kunera Kiromat, Senior Paediatrician with PMGH. Both are paediatric cardiac specialists who continue to lead efforts in identifying and managing heart conditions among children across Papua New Guinea.
Of the children seen, thirty-eight were found to have no heart problems, three were identified as complex cases, five were listed for PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) ligation surgery, and six were listed for further Operation Open Heart discussions. While turnout was lower than last year, when 103 children were screened, Goroka remains a key centre for paediatric cardiac care, with families continuing to bring children forward for assessment.
Dr. Olita’a highlighted the importance of expanding provincial reach by empowering rural clinic staff and community health workers to recognize early warning signs such as recurrent fevers, poor weight gain, feeding difficulties, or joint pain. She also stressed the need for training district paediatricians and medical officers in basic point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to detect rheumatic heart disease and congenital anomalies, alongside public awareness campaigns in Tok Pisin through local radio networks.
She reminded parents that everyday habits at home play a vital role in protecting children’s hearts. “Children should get around an hour of physical activity a day. Running, walking to school, football and swimming all count. Build meals around vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, beans and other whole foods, and limit sugary drinks, sweets, salty snacks and fried or heavily processed foods. Water should be the main drink. Keep children away from tobacco smoke, and betel nut and tobacco use around them is best avoided too, because secondhand smoke harms children’s hearts and lungs. Regular, enough sleep also supports healthy blood pressure and weight,” she said.
Dr. Olita’a also urged families to treat sore throats promptly to prevent rheumatic fever andbpermanent heart damage. “A sore throat with fever, especially in children aged 5 to 15, can be a strep infection. If untreated, it can lead to rheumatic fever and permanent heart valve damage. Take the child to a clinic for proper testing and treatment, and make sure they finish the full course of antibiotics,” she said.
The National Cardiac Screening program will end this month with the team, visiting East New Britain Province on the 23rd to the 24th.
The success of this visit was made possible by our major sponsor Air Niugini Limited and supported by Sir Brian Bell Foundation, BSP Financial Group Limited and the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority.