Joint Free Medical Outreach Program Celebrating PNG–Philippines Friendship
About forty-four medical staff from the NCD Provincial Health Authority joined volunteer Filipino doctors, nurses, and health workers from private hospitals and clinics across Port Moresby under the Filipino Association of Papua New Guinea (FAPNG) and the Philippine Embassy, in a full-day medical outreach mission held last Sunday at the Sir John Guise Stadium indoor complex.
This was made possible through a collaborative effort with the vision to improve health services and provide care to the vulnerable and underserved population in the city.
The joint free medical outreach mission focused on raising vital health awareness and providing essential clinical services, including free medical consultations, minor treatments, general health checks, HIV awareness, and education on lifestyle diseases. Other services offered included eye tests, dental check-ups, cardiac consultations, tuberculosis (TB) screening, hemoglobin checks, free tetanus vaccinations for girls and women aged 15–44, and a Port Moresby General Hospital blood bank booth, which received confirmed donations from 30 blood donors.
A walk-in patient, Jacinta Jimal from East Sepik who resides in Korobosea, said she heard about the outreach through a family member and expressed her gratitude to the friendly Filipino doctors who provided her with medical consultation and treatment.
She stated that this kind of joint free medical outreach program is very helpful, as attending private clinics in Port Moresby is often too expensive for many.
On behalf of the Philippine Embassy, Consul Jomar Sadie, who was present during the medical outreach, shared that this service both celebrates and strengthens the deep and enduring friendship between Papua New Guinea and the Philippines—a relationship built on mutual respect and people-to-people connections that have flourished for over four decades.
The full-day medical outreach treated over 300 individuals from across Port Moresby.
NCD Provincial Health Authority Acting Deputy Director of Public Health, Janet Pongine, highlighted that this collaboration between the Filipino Association of PNG, the Philippine Embassy, the NCD Governor’s Office, and the National Capital District Commission provided their Public Health Division a valuable platform to raise awareness on HIV, lifestyle diseases, and the increasing rates of tuberculosis in Port Moresby.
Set against the backdrop of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary, this initiative underscored the shared journey of two nations whose bond has stood the test of time—through migration, education, development, and now, compassion.