-
Strengthening Papua New Guinea’s Health System in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
“Integrating and Strengthening the Health System in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” is the theme for the 61st PNG Medical Symposium in 2027. Since ChatGPT became publicly available in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly entered healthcare, education, research and other sectors, bringing opportunities alongside challenges in governance, privacy, security, accountability and clinical use.…
-
Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea: A Silent Epidemic in Our Health System
This post contains descriptions of domestic and intimate partner violence which some readers may find distressing. If you or someone you know needs support, 1 Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain offers immediate tele-counselling and referral services across Papua New Guinea: +(675) 7150-8000. Gender-based violence (GBV) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is not only a social issue,…
-
A Practical Telepathology Setup in Papua New Guinea
Telemedicine refers to the delivery of healthcare over distance using information and communication technology. At its simplest, this can be a doctor consulting a patient over a video call, for example a psychiatrist speaking with a patient remotely. More advanced forms involve the transmission of clinical data such as images, videos, and physiological measurements to…
-
Cancer Awareness Visit to Jack’s of PNG
October is the month dedicated to breast cancer awareness. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining one of my colleagues and one of my bosses to visit Jack’s of PNG warehouse at Hohola, Port Moresby, for a cancer awareness program organized by the PNG Cancer Foundation. The Foundation regularly coordinates visits by doctors…
-
Pathology as a Career in Papua New Guinea
Introduction Pathology is the study of disease. Pathology is important because in order to treat a disease we need to identify, confirm the disease and understand how the disease works. Pathology is the bridge between science and medicine. If you’ve ever been to hospital and had to get a blood test, that is a pathology…
-
Nurse‑to‑patient ratios
The current nurse-to-patient ratio in my ward in Alotau Provincial Hospital which is a 32-bed surgical ward with only 16 nursing/CHW staff is roughly 1:8-10.5 for every 8-hour shift (3-4 staff/shift) if the ward is full. Night shifts can be as low as 2 staff on duty (1:16). This is not safe or practical as…
-
From Clinics to Specialists: The Importance of Patient Referrals
A patient referral occurs when a healthcare provider directs a patient to another provider or specialist for additional care. This is a formal process with documentation that accompanies the patient and can also be preceded by a case discussion or communication between the referring and receiving clinician or hospital. This process is essential to ensure…
-
The burden of breast cancer in Papua New Guinea
In 2020, breast cancer was the number one cause of cancer deaths amongst women in Papua New Guinea. In the last 10 years, the incidence of breast cancer in PNG had doubled to more than 12 per 100,000 population. Infact, studies in PNG have shown that 40% of women with breast cancer are below the…
-
Patient Flow in the Children’s Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital
Patient flow refers to the movement of patients through various stages of care within a healthcare facility, from arrival to discharge. This process is crucial for delivering timely and effective medical care, particularly in high-demand environments like the Children’s Emergency Department (CED). It encompasses all the steps a patient experiences during their visit, including triage…
-
The Provincial Health Authority System in Papua New Guinea.
The Provincial Health Authority (PHA) system in Papua New Guinea (PNG) was established to decentralize the management and delivery of healthcare services, devolving authority and responsibility from the national government to provincial and district levels. Here’s an overview of the PHA system: Overall, the Provincial Health Authority system in Papua New Guinea represents a significant…
Recent Posts
- Strengthening Papua New Guinea’s Health System in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
- Where to Get Help: A Healthcare Referral Pathway for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea
- A guide for GBV assessment for health workers in Papua New Guinea
- Digital Transformation Summit 2026
- The Burden of Sorcery-Related Violence and Injury in Papua New Guinea.
