Health Minister Elias Kapavore told parliament on the 3rd of June 2026, that the National Government is strengthening urban health facilities across Port Moresby in an effort to reduce overcrowding at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH).
Responding to questions from Abau MP Sir Puka Temu, the minister acknowledged the growing pressure on the country's premier referral hospital, which is serving a population far larger than it was originally designed to accommodate.
Kapavore said PMGH was built in the 1980s to cater for around 300,000 people, but the National Capital District's population has now grown to more than one million.
He said, "Today, PMGH is delivering about 17,000 babies every year, which is around 60 births every day. The pressure on the hospital continues to increase because many patients who could be treated at lower-level facilities are still seeking treatment at PMGH."
Sir Puka raised concerns about overcrowding in the hospital's emergency, surgical and maternity wards, citing information indicating that a significant number of patients attending PMGH do not require specialist care.
He told Parliament that studies had shown category three emergency patients account for around 60% of emergency department presentations and that extending emergency services at Six Mile had previously reduced emergency cases at PMGH.
The Abau MP also said normal deliveries occupy the majority of maternity beds at PMGH and argued that expanding maternity services at urban clinics would significantly reduce pressure on the hospital.
In response, Kapavore said the government was already investing in lower-level health facilities to provide more services closer to communities.
He said upgrades were underway at Six Mile and Gerehu clinics, while Metoreia Urban Clinic had already been upgraded and now offers maternity delivery services.
"More mothers are now delivering outside of PMGH because of these improvements," he said.
The minister also pointed to ongoing health projects in NCD, Central and Gulf provinces aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services and reducing unnecessary referrals to PMGH.
Kapavore said the government's long-term objective is to ensure lower-level facilities handle routine healthcare needs while PMGH focuses on specialist and complex medical services.
"PMGH should be concentrating on higher-level healthcare services and specialist treatment," he said.
The minister also highlighted recent improvements in specialist services at the hospital, including kidney transplant procedures and expanded cardiac care.
While outlining the government's efforts to ease pressure on PMGH, Kapavore did not directly address Sir Puka's questions on whether the department had conducted studies into surgical and obstetric bed shortages, nor did he provide details on the status of a reported K12 million allocation approved by the National Executive Council in 2025 for additional maternity beds in NCD clinics.
Sir Puka also recommended the establishment of additional Level Four and Level Five hospitals in Port Moresby, Central Province and surrounding districts as part of a long-term solution to overcrowding at PMGH.
