Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) celebrated the country’s 50th anniversary alongside World Patient Safety Day with a powerful address delivered by Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paki Molumi. In his address, Dr. Molumi reflected on the hospital’s journey over the past five decades, its challenges, remarkable achievements, and outlined a bold vision for the future of healthcare in Papua New Guinea. Founded in 1955 with the completion of the Walter Strong Wing and just 350 beds, PMGH has grown significantly to become Papua New Guinea’s Level 6 National Tertiary Referral, Research and Teaching Hospital. Early infrastructure developments included the McGregor Wing, Red Cross transfusion service, ICU, nutrition, rehabilitation, and infectious disease units—boosting capacity to 700 beds by the mid-1970s. Post-independence, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) contributed major infrastructure, but Dr. Molumi acknowledged that since then, no major infrastructure developments have occurred, even as demand has surged due to population growth and limited regional hospital capacity. Despite these limitations, PMGH now delivers services not only to the National Capital District but also to Central Province, Gulf, and beyond, often serving as the only accessible high-level care provider in the absence of Level 5 hospitals in these regions. Dr. Molumi highlighted how 85% of PMGH's resources are used for primary and secondary care—limiting capacity for specialist services. However, under national directives and leadership, the hospital has responded: Interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery programs have been established, including the first Papua New Guinean-owned cardiac bypass surgery. First kidney transplant in PNG has been successfully performed, with patients returning to work and economic productivity. Stroke reversal therapy is now possible with a functioning stroke retrieval program. Other specialist areas expanded include neurosurgery, orthopaedics, urology, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, paediatrics, ENT, radiology, pathology, and physiotherapy. Dr. Molumi commended the teams for their dedication. “These are not just services, but lifelines.” A key highlight is the Comprehensive Cancer Centre; a flagship infrastructure project launched in 2019. Funded by the PNG Government and supported by Kumul Petroleum Holdings (K10 million), the centre is nearing completion with: Advanced technologies including two linear accelerators, brachytherapy, nuclear medicine, and chemotherapy units. Phase three is 80% complete, with commissioning expected in early 2026. Future plans include bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, clinical research labs, and a national cancer registry. Dr. Molumi unveiled the hospital’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, built on a comprehensive infrastructure master plan, including: Redevelopment of the Walter Strong and JICA wings to meet international standards. A new Women’s and Children’s Hospital with design and location finalized. A Centre for Eye Health to be commissioned in August 2026. Strategic focus on developing local health expertise through new curriculums in clinical and pediatric oncology, intensive care, and internal medicine. Recruitment of international experts on fixed-term contracts to train local professionals. Emphasis on competitive fees to retain top talent in PNG. To support this transformation, Dr. Molumi proposed a Specialist Hospital Act to replace the current Public Hospital Act, giving PMGH financial and operational autonomy. This would enable the hospital to engage in revenue generation, public-private partnerships, and sustainable funding mechanisms. Marking World Patient Safety Day, Dr. Molumi underscored the urgency of creating a culture of safety, not just slogans. Global statistics show that 134 million adverse health events occur annually in low- and middle-income countries due to unsafe care, resulting in 2.6 million preventable deaths. “Let us be known not just as a hospital that heals, but as a hospital that protects.” The hospital also launched a clinical roadshow to showcase the work of every division and their vision for the next 50 years. School students from the National Capital District and Central Province were invited to inspire interest in medical and allied health careers. “This is more than an exhibition. It’s a declaration of our future.” As the hospital steps into its next 50 years, Dr. Molumi emphasized that the future of health care in Papua New Guinea lies in innovation, compassion, and safety. “PMGH is not just building facilities—we are building futures.”