Papua New Guinea has released a record K30.9 billion National Budget for 2026, with a strong focus on improving services in the country including the health service to the people.

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey tabled the budget in Parliament on Tuesday, describing it as a plan designed to boost frontline services, upgrade infrastructure and improve long-term health outcomes.

K858.1 million has been set aside under the Capital Investment Budget for hospital construction, district health facilities and critical medical infrastructure.

He said in the health sector, there is a 15.8% increase to K3,205 million. This includes a K88 million in increase for our Provincial Health Authorities, including POM General, to K1,476 million. There is a K27 million increase in medical supplies, from K240 million to K267 million.

“There are also major increases for vaccines of 73%, of malaria and TB and other key drugs of over 40%. Church and Catholic Health Services, which provide an estimated half, of all health 11 services, to our rural people, increases by 22 per cent, or K46.3 million, to K259 million,” said the Treasurer.

Ling Stucky underscored the health sector as an extremely vital sector and continues to be a priority area for National Budgets to ensure a healthy population in Papua New Guinea.