A Historic Milestone for the Country’s Healthcare System and the Pacific Region
On Wednesday, May 14, Papua New Guinea’s health authorities officially announced the country’s first-ever successful kidney transplant, marking a groundbreaking step forward in the development of its national healthcare system. The procedure not only fills a critical gap in PNG’s medical capabilities but also represents a major advancement for the broader South Pacific region.
The landmark operation took place on the evening of May 14 at Port Moresby General Hospital. Following the surgery, the patient successfully passed urine—an early and encouraging sign that the transplanted kidney is functioning well. A second kidney transplant is scheduled for Thursday, May 15.
Minister for Health Hon. Elias Kapavore hailed the success as a “zero-to-one breakthrough” for both PNG and the Pacific in the field of organ transplantation. He noted that the availability of such procedures locally will significantly reduce the financial and logistical burdens previously faced by patients.
“In the past, undergoing a kidney transplant overseas could cost up to K500,000. Now, the same procedure performed locally is expected to cost less than K10,000,” said Minister Kapavore.
Currently, around 50 patients with chronic kidney disease receive dialysis treatment three times per week at Port Moresby General Hospital. The ability to undergo kidney transplants within the country is expected to ease both the economic and emotional strain on these patients and their families.
This surgical achievement was made possible under the National Surgical, Obstetrics and Anaesthesia Policy, which was approved by the National Executive Council (NEC). The policy—seven years in the making—establishes the legal and technical framework for advanced surgical procedures, including a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures. It lays the foundation for developing high-level medical services nationwide.
Under this policy, the newly sworn-in National Medical Board granted temporary medical licenses to a team of kidney transplant specialists from the United Kingdom, ensuring the operation was both compliant and safe.
The transplant was led by Dr. Okty Boge, Chief Surgeon at Port Moresby General Hospital and Chair of the Kidney Transplant Steering Committee. The surgical team comprised local clinical staff working alongside UK-based kidney transplant expert Dr. Damien Hossalla.
The country’s medical community has widely praised the operation as a major milestone, not only in national health infrastructure development but also as a solid foundation for future localization of other organ transplant services.
