PMGH overflows with TB patients as disease tops death toll in PNG

Port Moresby General Hospital's Tuberculosis [TB] ward has reached full capacity, underscoring the disease's status as the leading cause of death in Papua New Guinea.

New statistics reveal TB claimed 952 lives last year, accounting for one in seven deaths nationwide.

The hospital, already struggling with limited space and bed availability, has set up temporary facilities to manage the growing patient load.

Chief Executive Dr. Paki Molumi informed NBC News that Port Moresby General Hospital [PMGH] and the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority [NCDPHA] are planning to relocate the TB ward to Six Mile.

"Looking ahead to 2025, we’re collaborating with NCDPHA. We’ve held workshops with officers in charge from 25 clinics in NCD and senior management at Gerehu General Hospital to establish a smoother referral pathway for TB cases," said Dr. Molumi.

"We aim to move the PMGH TB clinic to Six Mile."

Dr. Molumi highlighted that an influx of TB patients from Kwikila, under the Central Provincial Health Authority, is heightening the risk of transmission and straining resources.

In response, PMGH is helping establish an x-ray facility in Kwikila, utilizing Gene Xpert machines alongside artificial intelligence to reduce diagnosis and treatment times to just 15 minutes.

"Patients currently travel long distances on public transport to Port Moresby General Hospital for x-rays, increasing the chance of TB spread," Dr. Molumi said.

"Now, with an x-ray facility in Kwikila, technicians can conduct scans locally."

NBC News is awaiting comments from the Central Provincial Health Authority on how they are managing TB cases in their region.