How does referral work in the Papua New Guinea health system?

A local aid post, health post or health centre usually assesses the condition first and refers the patient to a district, provincial or national hospital when the required staff, equipment or treatment is unavailable locally. The destination depends on clinical complexity, transport and the resources available at each facility.

Which Papua New Guinea health facilities provide maternity and newborn care?

Community Health Posts and health sub-centres provide antenatal care, postnatal care, newborn care and emergency stabilization, while higher-level health centres and hospitals provide broader obstetric services and inpatient treatment. Actual availability depends on staffing, equipment, medicines and the facility's current status.

How can someone obtain emergency medical transport in Papua New Guinea?

Call the national St John Ambulance emergency line on 111, which operates 24 hours a day. Emergency transport to a public hospital is stated to be free for Papua New Guinea citizens and permanent residents, but operational coverage and suitable transport vary by region.

What should patients check about medicines in Papua New Guinea health care?

Patients should check that medicines are registered, unexpired and supplied through a legitimate health facility or pharmacy. Availability can vary because local stocks and cold-chain capacity are uneven, so a clinician or pharmacist may need to identify a safe alternative or arrange referral.

What access rights apply in Papua New Guinea public primary health care?

Public primary health care is policy-based free, and specialized services are subsidized, although implementation and availability differ by facility. Health services should protect informed consent, confidentiality and equity, and patients should follow referral, medication and safety instructions.

Health in Papua New Guinea

Health care in Papua New Guinea combines public services, church-run facilities, community workers, outreach teams and private providers. Most people receive care through a local facility and are referred to a higher level when staff, equipment or medicines are not available locally. Access is strongest in urban centres and more uneven in rural and remote areas because distance, transport, staffing, supplies and weather affect treatment and follow-up.

Tip

Use the nearest functioning facility that can handle the problem, and arrange referral early when its staff, medicines or equipment are insufficient. In rural and remote areas, confirm services, transport and follow-up before travelling because distance, weather and supply gaps can change the plan. For emergencies, use 111 where coverage allows and do not rely on traditional medicine instead of diagnostic, emergency or referral care.

byMeri&John

The National Department of Health (NDoH) sets national policy, standards and monitoring under the National Health Plan 2021–2030. Provincial Health Authorities manage primary care and hospitals within their provinces, while District Health Services provide local facilities, public-health work and outreach. Government services and Christian Health Services are the main providers, especially outside urban centres. Private care is concentrated mainly in cities and at higher service levels, so the status of a facility should be checked before travel. Papua New Guinea uses a stepped system. Level 1 aid posts and health posts usually provide health promotion, treatment for minor illness and referral through a community health worker or nurse, without regular inpatient care. Level 2 Community Health Posts and health sub-centres provide basic treatment, stays of up to 24 hours, antenatal and postnatal care, newborn care, nutrition services, tuberculosis, HIV and malaria services, and emergency stabilization. Level 3 rural or urban health centres add medical, obstetric and paediatric care, minor surgery, family planning, disease control and inpatient and outpatient services. Level 4 rural or district hospitals provide general admission, laboratory services, imaging, dental care and surgery where staff and equipment permit. Level 5 provincial hospitals provide secondary or tertiary care, pharmacy, laboratory and radiology services, with subspecialties depending on staffing. Port Moresby General Hospital, or PMGH, is the national teaching and specialist referral hospital for critical and complex cases. A condition outside a facility's capacity should move through referral to a higher level, commonly from Levels 1 to 3 to a district or provincial hospital. Complex cases may need provincial care or referral to PMGH. Return to community care and continuity after treatment are part of the intended system, but geography, transport, staffing, beds, laboratory capacity and medicine supplies make this uneven in practice. Roads, boats and flights may all be needed for remote referrals. Prevention and early care include immunization, maternal, child and newborn health, family planning, nutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, cancer, oral health and mental health. Pentavalent-1 immunization coverage was about 60% in 2024, leaving approximately 144,000 children unprotected. Antenatal care with a skilled provider reached 56%, skilled birth attendance 42%, and the maternal mortality ratio was reported as 171 per 100,000 live births. A 2025 PIRI immunization initiative operated in 12 provinces. Mental-health care is being incorporated into district and primary-care services through mhGAP training, screening, early detection, suicide prevention and partnerships with communities, churches and NGOs. Availability differs substantially between locations, so referral may be needed for assessment or specialist support. Medicines are regulated through pharmaceutical standards, product registration, licensing of establishments and personnel, quality-control testing and safety monitoring under the Medicines and Cosmetics Act 1999. The Medical and Dental Catalogue provides the public essential-medicines basis, but stocks and cold-chain capacity vary locally. Unregistered or expired products should not be used. St John Ambulance operates the national 111 emergency line around the clock. Under its stated service policy, emergency transport to a public hospital is free for Papua New Guinea citizens and permanent residents, but coverage and suitable transport vary by region. In remote places, first aid may begin locally before referral by road, boat or aircraft. Public primary health care is policy-based free, while specialized services are subsidized; private care, visitor services and non-essential transport may involve charges. Waiting times and appointment systems cannot be assumed nationwide because they depend on distance, weather, staff, beds, laboratory capacity and medicine availability. Patients should receive information and give informed consent, and health services should protect confidentiality and equity. The Community Health Post policy provides for the same type and quality of service regardless of location or provider, while actual availability still varies. Follow referral instructions, medication directions and safety advice, and ask which facility will provide follow-up. Community health workers, village health volunteers, church and community health posts, NGOs and mobile teams can extend access, but traditional medicine has not been established as an equivalent replacement for diagnostic testing, medicines, emergency treatment or referral care.