A team from the Operation Open Heart Foundation Board visited ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae from 13–14 August 2026 to assess opportunities for establishing cardiac specialist services in Morobe Province, beginning with closed-heart procedures and pacemaker services, and progressively building capacity towards open-heart surgery.
Dr Noah Tapaua, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Deputy Chairman of the Operation Open Heart Foundation, led the visit. He was joined by fellow Foundation Board members Dr Arvin Karu, Cardiothoracic Anaesthetist; Sr. Kila Virobo, Cardiothoracic Ward Unit Manager; and Ms Jane Huka, Secretary and Director of Corporate Affairs. Sr. Jacklyn Eric, an Operating Theatre Nurse at Port Moresby General Hospital, who used her off-duty days to support the visit, also accompanied the team.
The scoping visit supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s commitment to improving access to specialist health services and is aligned with the National Health Plan’s focus on strengthening provincial health systems, bringing essential services closer to communities, and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.
“The idea of expanding cardiac surgery to Lae has been discussed for several years. As Papua New Guinea marks 50 years as a nation, it is timely to expand specialist services such as heart surgery to reach more of our people. The first thoracic unit in PNG was established at Angau Memorial Hospital, operated from 1971 to 1974, and closed after independence. We intend to help build the hospital’s capacity to establish its own Cardiothoracic Unit, just as we have done at Port Moresby General Hospital,” said Dr. Tapaua.
“A significant number of referrals for cardiac diagnostics and surgery come from the Islands, Highlands and Momase regions. Many families cannot afford the cost of travel to Port Moresby for treatment. Establishing cardiac services at ANGAU would improve access and affordability for a large portion of the population. We would begin with closed-heart surgeries and pacemakers, and progressively build ANGAU
Hospital’s capacity to conduct open-heart surgeries,” Dr. Tapaua added.
Dr. Kipas Binga, Chief Executive Officer of the Morobe Provincial Health Authority, met with the team on Friday, 14 August 2026 and welcomed the initiative as an important step towards strengthening specialist healthcare services in Lae and the wider Momase region.
“I fully support the Operation Open Heart Foundation’s initiative to bring this specialist service to ANGAU Hospital. While ANGAU has been newly upgraded, challenges remain. However, despite the challenges, we believe that with the support of the Foundation, corporate partners and key stakeholders, we can work together to establish cardiac services here in Lae,” said Dr.Binga.
Lae’s central location positions ANGAU Hospital to support patients from the Islands, Highlands, Momase and Southern regions. The proposed establishment of cardiac services would complement national efforts to decentralize specialist care and improve equitable access to life-saving treatment across Papua New Guinea.
The visit was made possible through the support of the Operation Open Heart Foundation and its partnership with Lae International Hotel, which provided accommodation support for the visiting medical team.
“We were honored to support the Operation Open Heart initiative during the team’s stay.
Providing comfortable, welcoming accommodation is part of our commitment to ensuring visiting medical professionals can focus fully on their vital work. Hosting the team at Lae International Hotel reflects our dedication to community partnerships and to contributing meaningfully to life-changing efforts in Papua New Guinea,” said Ms. Lorraine Sariman, the hotel’s Sales and Marketing Executive.