Papua New Guinea has a relatively low standard of healthcare compared to developed countries. Therefore, medical insurance is essential to ensure access to high-quality private medical facilities.
Travellers to PNG should have precautionary vaccinations before entering the country and should seek advice from their GP. PNG is providing COVID-19 vaccinations to residents free of charge; however, supplies are limited, and travellers should ensure they are vaccinated before they arrive.
The main general hospital, located at 4-Mile near Boroko, has a dedicated team of doctors and medical professionals but underfunding often results in shortages of medicines, equipment and staff. However, Port Moresby General Hospital is typically the best option for major trauma in a severe emergency. Next to the hospital is St John Ambulance who can provide medical emergency transport without charge.
Within the vicinity are two major private hospitals; Pacific International Hospital and Paradise Hospital. They both have accident and emergency units, ambulances and general clinics and offer world-class treatments for a full spectrum of possible issues. However, these services are private and having medical insurance is critical.
Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Port Moresby
Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN)
- Location: 3 Mile, Korobosea, Port Moresby
- Type: Public Hospital
- Speciality: General
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Website: www.pomgen.gov.pg
- Contact: +675 324 8200
Overview: Port Moresby General Hospital is the primary referral and teaching hospital in Papua New Guinea. It is also a centre for AIDS treatment in Papua New Guinea, one of only a few facilities equipped to treat HIV/AIDS.
It also houses a hyperbaric recompression chamber for diving emergencies. The hospital is the only hospital in the country to have a CT scanner.
Paradise Private Hospital
- Location: Taurama Road, 3 Mile, Port Moresby
- Type: General and Specialist Private Healthcare
- Speciality: General and Specialist
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Website: pahgrp.com
- Contact: +675 325 6022
Overview: Paradise Private Hospital is a general and specialist private health care provider with 14 permanent medical professionals and 10 visiting specialists providing locum services to cover 24-hour operations. The hospital is a modern 40-bed facility and has Obstetric, Surgical, Pediatric and Adult medical care facilities with 9 doctors’ consulting rooms, Laboratory, X-ray, Ultrasound Scan Imaging Services and a Pharmacy.
Pacific International Hospital
- Location: Taurama Road, 3 Mile, Port Moresby
- Type: General and Specialist Private Healthcare
- Speciality: General and Specialist
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Website: www.pihpng.com
- Contact: +675 7998 8000
Overview: Established in 1997 as PNG Diagnostic Centre, PIH has become the largest private hospital in PNG, offering expertise in more than 20 clinical specialities.
2K Medical Clinic
- Location: Tutua Avenue, Angau Drive, Port Moresby
- Type: Clinic
- Speciality: Specialist
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Website: www.2kmed.com
- Contact: 323 7730
Overview: 2K Medical Clinic provides 24-hour medical service. Family and internal medicine, children's diseases, emergency, laboratory and x-ray examinations.
Aspen Medical Harbour City
- Location: Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Konedobu
- Type: General and Specialist Private Healthcare
- Speciality: General and Specialist
- Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm, Sat 9am - 1pm
- Website: www.aspenmedicalharbourcity.com
- Contact: +675 321 0202 / 7459 7209
Overview: Aspen Medical is an Australian-owned, multi-award-winning, global provider of healthcare solutions.
City Specialists Medical Centre (CSMC)
- Location: Soare Street, Gordons, Port Moresby
- Type: General Healthcare
- Speciality: General and Specialist
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Website: www.facebook.com/CitySpecialistsMedicalCentre
- Contact: +675 7633 0580
Overview: CSMC offers General and Specialist Consultation services. Areas of specialisation include Internal Medicine, Cardiac Care, General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Orthopaedic surgery, Obstetric and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Surgery, Molecular Genetics (DNA Tests), Dermatology, Haematology and Pathology and Pain Medicine.
Hospitals and Clinics in Lae
Angua Memorial Provincial Hospital
- Location: Markham Road, Lae
- Type: Public Hospital
- Speciality: General
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Contact: +675 473 2100
Overview: Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital is the main public hospital in Lae and the referral hospital of the Momase region.
Lae International Hospital
- Location: Marsina Street, Lae
- Type: Private Hospital
- Speciality: General and Emergency Healthcare
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
- Contact: +675 472 7133 / 7190 2306
Overview: LIH is the main private hospital in Lae with a 24 hour accident and emergency department, surgery, radiology, pediatrics and dental care
Medical emergencies in PNG
Most hospitals in PNG have an accident and emergency unit for emergencies, and St John Ambulance provides first aid and pre-hospital treatments.
Call 111 in case of an emergency
For the most severe emergencies, there are Medevac services that will evacuate patients to an Australian hospital. Travellers should check that their insurance covers this service.
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