Sr Freda Yakop1, Sr Merolyn Nicholas1, Ms Geruna Sumbou1
1Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 2Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 3Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Biography:
Freda Yakop, a Critical Care Nurse, is at the forefront of clinical innovation at Port Moresby General Hospital. She is instrumental in translating the vision of a dedicated palliative care ward into a reality, directly addressing a critical gap in service for the community.
Abstract:
Introduction/Background:
Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces a significant and escalating burden of life-limiting illnesses, including advanced cancers and chronic conditions, in the absence of a formal palliative care system. To address this critical gap, the nation's first dedicated Palliative Care Ward was established at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) in June 2022. This report details the initial clinical profile and operational outcomes of this pioneering service.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of ward activity and clinical data was conducted from its inception on 22 June 2022 to 13 October 2025. Data points included patient demographics, admission volume, discharge dispositions, primary diagnoses, and the spectrum of clinical and supportive interventions.
Results:
Over its first 39 months, the 20-bed ward, operated by a dedicated team of 12 Papua New Guinea Nursing Services (PNGNS) staff without assigned physicians, managed 199 admissions. The patient population was predominantly adults with advanced diseases. Cancer was the leading diagnosis (n=105), encompassing medical (n=88), gynaecological (n=14), and paediatric (n=3) oncology. Other significant conditions included complex surgical cases from ENT (n=25), Neurosurgery (n=22), and Oro-Maxillofacial services (n=20), as well as stroke (n=8) and tuberculosis (n=6). Patient outcomes included 99 discharges, 63 deaths in the ward, 21 transfers, and 4 overseas referrals. The care model integrated essential medical procedures such as pain management, complex wound care, and ostomy care with foundational psychosocial support, including counselling, spiritual care, and health education. Conclusion/Implications: The pioneering nurse-led Palliative Care Ward at PMGH demonstrates both the feasibility and urgent need for these services in PNG. It provides essential care for complex needs, despite challenges like awareness gaps, staffing, and resource limitations. Its success highlights the potential of nurse-led models and underscores the need for national policy, dedicated funding, and specialized training to integrate palliative care into PNG's health framework.
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