In a news conference on Thursday, the Health Minister told reporters that kidney failure has been a cause for concern in PNG. Photo: POM General Hospital
Doctors in Papua New Guinea have successfully carried out the country's first kidney transplant at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
Health Minister Elias Kapavore praised the operation and said patients can now access treatment cheaply and within the country.
In a news conference on Thursday, he told reporters that kidney failure has been a cause for concern in PNG.
"Today, I want to announce to our people the successful operation of the first kidney transplant," he said.
He also confirmed that the country now has 12 kidney dialysis machines.
NBC reported that it costs about 500,000 kina (approximately US$123,000) for a kidney transplant overseas.
However, Kapavore said that if done in PNG, the cost comes down to under 10,000 kina (around US$2500).
Kapavore said about 50 patients receive dialysis treatment at Port Moresby General Hospital three times a week.
"Our country must be able to perform kidney transplants in PNG. We must also be able to treat cancer patients in our country and must also have the capacity to treat heart problems in our country.
"These are serious milestones, a transformative health system that we now have in place."
"As Minister for Health, under the Marape-Rosso government, supported by many of our partners, we are making inroads in many of these health interventions that we thought could not be possible during this time."
NBC reported that, to carry out the transplant, a temporary licence was issued for a transplant team visiting from the United Kingdom.
