Lae City Authority (LCA) has stepped in to help tackle the severe shortage of medical drugs in Lae, purchasing K130,000 worth of essential medicines for the ten urban clinics struggling to meet patient needs. The Authority will also supply K200,000 in drugs to Angau Memorial Hospital, the province’s largest referral hospital, with deliveries expected next week.

LCA Chief Executive Officer Robin Calistus said the initiative is a direct response to the critical shortage of medicines affecting urban clinics and provincial hospitals not only in Morobe but across Papua New Guinea.

“We recognize the urgent need for essential medical supplies in our clinics and at Angau Hospital,” Mr. Calistus said. “This initiative will ensure patients continue to receive care while longer-term solutions are implemented.”

The move comes after a two-day inquiry by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters into the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MoPHA), which revealed alarming gaps in hospital management, supply chains, and access to medicines. Committee Chairman Robert Naguri described some of the findings as “disturbing” and stressed the need for immediate action to protect patient care at Angau.

The support from LCA is being seen as a crucial stopgap measure, enabling frontline health facilities to continue operations while government agencies work on systemic solutions. Urban clinics, which serve thousands of patients daily, have faced shortages of antibiotics, painkillers, and essential consumables, placing additional pressure on Angau Hospital.

“This is about saving lives and keeping our urban clinics and provincial hospital functioning,” Mr. Calistus said, emphasizing the importance of local authorities stepping in to support public health.