Unstable power supply in the nation’s capital has pushed Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) into a critical situation, damaging essential medical equipment worth millions of kina and threatening patient safety.
PMGH Acting Facilities Manager Michael Aris,\ said ongoing power fluctuations have severely affected hospital operations, with three of the hospital’s four sterilization machines now damaged and out of service.
Only one sterilization unit remains operational, placing immense pressure on the hospital’s ability to properly clean and disinfect surgical instruments and medical equipment.
“These machines are vital in preventing infections and ensuring patient safety,” Mr Aris said. “On Tuesday, 13 January, PMGH experienced a staggering 10 power blackouts in a single day. This situation has compromised patient care and placed hospital operations at significant risk.”
Mr Aris said the frequent outages and voltage fluctuations have not only disrupted services but also caused serious damage to sensitive and expensive medical equipment.
“We urge PNG Power to urgently attend to this matter,” he said. “Patients entirely depend on a reliable power supply for life-saving services. We are requesting an immediate assessment and a prompt resolution to these ongoing power fluctuations to ensure safe and effective hospital operations.”
PMGH Chief Executive Officer Dr Paki Molumi said the hospital can no longer rely solely on PNG Power due to the continued instability of electricity supply.
“As a result, we are actively exploring solar energy as an alternative and sustainable power source,” Dr Molumi said. “This will help ensure uninterrupted healthcare services, protect critical medical equipment, and most importantly, safeguard patient safety.”
Despite the ongoing infrastructure challenges, PMGH management reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to delivering safe and quality healthcare to the people of Papua New Guinea.
However, hospital management stressed that a sustained and reliable power supply is essential for effective healthcare delivery. PMGH has called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to urgently address the power supply issues and support long-term energy solutions to protect patients, staff, and essential medical services.