The National St John Ambulance (NStJA) Service is planning a major expansion in 2026 by establishing its first operation in the Highlands region in the Unggai-Bena District of the Eastern Highlands province.
The organization already operates in Port Moresby, Central Province, Morobe (Lae), and Kokopo. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Tane Kai said the move represents a significant milestone for the service.
“We’ll be expanding into Unggai-Bena, which I’m really excited about. It’s the first time we’re going into the Highlands. We’ll be expanding our programs, conducting more training, and delivering first aid education in schools,” he said.
Mr. Kai said education and professional growth for ambulance officers remains a top priority. NStJA will focus on upskilling current officers while recruiting trainee dispatchers and ambulance officers, including internal staff and reservists.
“We have a big education program planned. We’ll be upskilling many of our ambulance officers, providing more opportunities for growth within National St John, and expanding our recruitment campaign for both training ambulance officers and trainee dispatchers,” he explained.
The organization also plans technological upgrades, including a connected electronic patient record system for all ambulances. The system aims to link directly to hospitals to improve patient care and efficiency.
“Connectivity is always a challenge, but getting all ambulances and crews using electronic patient records is essential. In the best-case scenario, these records would link to hospitals as well. Full implementation may take a few years, but it will help us capture more data, improve population health tracking, and enhance our services nationwide,” he noted.
Mr. Kai addressed safety concerns for ambulance officers, emphasizing the public’s role in protecting emergency teams.
“It’s up to every Papua New Guinean to decide whether they want a qualified ambulance service. If you want emergency services, please respect these teams and call out any bad behavior. We want our officers to return safely to their families at the end of every shift,” he said.
He praised the dedication of ambulance officers across the country.
“These officers work long shifts, study hard, and know their communities inside out. They drop everything, day or night, to help someone in need. That dedication is inspiring and motivates me to support them to deliver the best service possible.”
Mr. Kai concluded by wishing all Papua New Guineans a happy New Year.
