Papua New Guinea Health Minister calls for primary healthcare strengthening

Health Minister Dr Billy Joseph has emphasized the need for Papua New Guinea to prioritize basic health services over higher-level hospitals. Speaking at the 25th National Health Conference in Port Moresby, Dr Joseph noted that approximately 86 percent of the population resides in rural and remote areas, making primary healthcare essential for improving national health outcomes.

The Minister highlighted that the government aims to ensure citizens can access essential services within one hour of their homes. However, he expressed concern that indicators such as immunization, communicable disease control, and facility births remain below acceptable levels. Dr Joseph also criticized the current resource allocation, stating that while lower-level facilities struggle or close, resources continue to support Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals. He argued that specialized hospitals should focus on tertiary care rather than absorbing the workload of underperforming lower-level facilities.