Port Moresby, 21 March 2025 — Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) is reaffirming its position as a leading center for specialized healthcare in Papua New Guinea, advancing critical neurosurgical services through a valued partnership with PNG Angels, an Australian-based non-governmental organization. This collaboration is a key pillar in achieving the goals set out in the National Health Plan 2021–2030 to expand access to high-quality, specialized medical care nationwide.
PNG Angels today marks five years of impactful cooperation with PMGH, providing advanced neurosurgical expertise, capacity building, and clinical training. Sydney-based neurosurgeon Dr. Marc Coughlan, on his eighth mission to PNG within this period, led a dedicated multidisciplinary team in performing six highly complex neurosurgical operations yesterday — showcasing the partnership’s success in bringing lifesaving procedures to PNG patients.
The cases undertaken included a range of intricate spinal and neurological surgeries, such as:
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Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) on a middle-aged man suffering from spinal cord compression, a procedure to relieve pressure and stabilize the cervical spine.
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Removal of an infected shunt in a seven-year-old girl, addressing a life-threatening infection related to previous cerebrospinal fluid diversion.
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Craniotomy for giant meningioma removal in a middle-aged woman, involving delicate brain surgery to excise a large tumor.
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Laminectomy decompression performed on another middle-aged male to alleviate neurological deficits caused by spinal cord impingement.
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Dura repair for a traumatic knife wound inflicting severe spinal cord injury, aiming to restore protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
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Foraminotomy to relieve nerve compression causing debilitating left arm pain in a middle-aged female patient.
These highly specialized surgeries, rarely available within PNG’s health system, underscore the critical role of international partnerships in elevating the country’s neurosurgical capabilities.
Beyond direct patient care, the PNG Angels-PMGH collaboration prioritizes building sustainable local capacity. The visiting surgical and anesthesiology experts work closely with PNG surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and technicians, providing hands-on training and mentorship to develop a self-reliant neurosurgical workforce equipped to meet future demand.
Dr. Coughlan emphasized the transformative impact of these visits: “Each mission brings advanced surgical skills and knowledge transfer that will enable Papua New Guinea to manage increasingly complex neurosurgical conditions independently. Our goal is to empower local health professionals through ongoing education and practical experience.”
The neurosurgical team continues its program with a second day of surgeries planned, further extending access to life-changing care for PNG patients.
As the partnership marks five years, PMGH continues to lead in delivering specialized medical services aligned with national health priorities, striving to reduce morbidity and mortality from neurological and spinal disorders.
The PNG Angels collaboration exemplifies how international cooperation can accelerate health system strengthening in resource-limited settings, fostering sustainable improvements in patient outcomes and professional development.