The Minister for Health Elias Kapavore was pressed for an answer regarding the plight of mothers at Port Moresby General Hospital at parliament this week during question time.

This was after a media report from ABC News circulated on social media showing mothers giving birth on hospital floors, which caused outrage towards the government.

The inquiry was brought up by Member for Okapa, Saki Soloma, who asked Minister Kapavore to clarify what specific issues are being faced by the country’s health system resulting in such a predicament in the Port Moresby General Hospital.

Minister Kapavore insisted that his department was aware of such an issue and chastised overseas media for exposing patients’ identity.

“It is not right for foreign media to intrude upon local hospital and expose patients as it infringes on patient rights.”

Minister Kapavore continued explaining that NCD’s private care health systems were not in the best condition.

“Port Moresby General Hospital is a Level 6 Specialist Hospital not a Level 1 Private Care Hospital.”

“Mothers should not be going to Port Moresby General Hospital constantly to give birth; they should be going to Level 1 hospitals.”

“But currently we do not have those facilities.”

He gave examples which included Gerehu Hospital, undergoing major renovations to expand its inpatient bed capacity. Kilakila sub-district hospital is also anther which is still under construction, and the Metoreia Urban Health Centre which recently opened its maternity ward.

He appealed to mothers to avoid putting too much pressure on PMGH by visiting other available health facilities that provide maternity and delivery services.

“Port Moresby General Hospital needs to focus on developing its specialist services.”