Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paki Molumi presented on the progress of the modern cancer center construction undertaken at the Port Moresby General Hospital during the 57th medical symposium hosted by PNG Medical Society last week.
He thanked the Government and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd for providing funding to build comprehensive cancer center which is expected to provide a one-stop-shop for cancer care from prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of all forms of cancer including children’s cancer.
Dr. Molumi said PMGH has already completed construction of two cancer bunkers, which will house two of the latest Linear Accelerator cancer machines.
“The third bunker is also under construction which will house a Brachytherapy machine for treatment of cervical cancer and esophageal cancers. The facility will also accommodate a 15-bed chemotherapy unit.
A nuclear Medicine Department with a SPECT/CT is planned for 2025 for both organic and functional imaging for diagnosis and location of cancer cells, targeted cancer therapy and cancer treatment monitoring.
A oncopathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular laboratory, Multidisciplinary Tumor Board (MDT)and Cancer Registry will be housed in the upper floor.
PMGH submitted a comprehensive project proposal to National Planning Department to seeking funding in 2024 budget,” he stated.
Dr. Molumi said that cancer is not an isolated disease. It needs all support services and an integrated and holistic approach in order to reduce the highest number of deaths in the country according to its data collection.
Dr. Molumi added that cancer is the number one cause of in death in the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) category.
“WHO estimates 7500 deaths per year on cancer (20 deaths per/day), 1500 deaths on cervical cancer (4 women die every year), 600 deaths per year on breast cancer (2 women die every year) and 825 deaths on oral cancer per year.”
“We are loosing the race against cancer care in PNG because the current cancer program in the country is all fragmented, we don’t know who is doing what, uncoordinated preventive programs, no cancer registry to generate data to guide decision making, lack of support services such as pathology, radiology, palliative care etc. We still have not got cancer care correctly after 48 years of independence.
Therefore, we need a holistic integrated approach to cancer care.
The Medical Society of PNG is commended for hosting the 2023 symposium to address cancer through a Holistic Approach through the theme “Holistic approach to cancer.”
Recommendations derived from the symposium will form the basis of updating the National Cancer Policy,” Dr. Molumi stated.
Dr. Molumi said PMGH is expected to deliver the comprehensive cancer center by 2025 when PNG reaches 50 years of independence.
