By DALCY LULUA
Parliament has unanimously passed the Papua New Guinea University of Medicine and Health Sciences Bill 2025, paving the way for the establishment of the country’s first standalone medical university.
The Bill, passed with 76 votes in favor and none against, marks a major milestone in the Government’s commitment to strengthen the nation’s healthcare and medical education systems.
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Kinoka Feo, said the new university would be based at Taurama in Port Moresby, strategically located near the Port Moresby General Hospital — the country’s only national specialist, teaching, and referral hospital.
“This proximity is crucial for clinical training integration and ensures students have immediate access to complex cases and advanced medical procedures,” Minister Feo said.
He said several clinical schools within major public hospitals across the country have already been prepared to provide training for students.
The new legislation grants the university full autonomy, allowing flexibility in management, operations, and curriculum development to meet the nation’s health workforce needs more efficiently.
Among the key features of the Bill are:
- Full status and operational management autonomy
- A comprehensive clinical training network
- A modern governance and leadership structure
Minister Feo outlined that the university would focus on expanding the MBBS program to
address the shortage of medical officers, develop postgraduate specialist training to reduce dependence on overseas programs, and establish a PNG-specific medical curriculum that reflects local health challenges and disease patterns.
He added that the institution would place strong emphasis on rural health training, noting that 80 percent of Papua New Guineans live in rural areas. The university will also oversee standards for all clinical and nursing programs nationwide and strengthen public health training with a primary healthcare focus.
In terms of innovation, the university aims to implement digital learning platforms, develop telemedicine and telehealth services, and establish international partnerships for medical research and training exchange.
A Research Centre of Excellence will also be established under the university, focusing on PNG-relevant medical research, tropical
diseases, and evidence-based health policy development.
“The goal is not just to train doctors and nurses, but to create a generation of healthcare leaders who can innovate, conduct research, and deliver solutions tailored to our people’s needs,” Minister Feo said.
The university’s vision is to become a premier medical and health sciences training institution in the South Pacific, promoting equitable healthcare for all Papua New Guineans, particularly those in rural and disadvantaged communities.
Its mission focuses on providing a comprehensive learning environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and community service while preparing students to serve with compassion, integrity, and skill.
The passage of this Bill marks a significant step toward transforming PNG’s medical education and health service delivery, with hopes that the new university will play a key role in building a stronger, self-reliant health system for the future.