PNG Medical Team Brings Cleft Surgery Closer to Bougainville Families

A specialist PNG surgical team has provided much-needed treatment to 17 people in Bougainville, helping children and families avoid the difficult journey to Port Moresby for cleft lip and palate operations.

The procedures were carried out at Buka General Hospital during a recent outreach involving specialists from Port Moresby General Hospital, with 13 children among those treated and the youngest aged nine months.

 PNG Medical Team Brings Cleft Surgery Closer to Bougainville Families/Photo supplied

Air Niugini assisted the mission by transporting the medical team and equipment to Bougainville, while the Rotary Club of Boroko and health authorities also contributed to the programme.

The outreach is part of a wider effort to take specialist surgery into the provinces and improve access for families who may otherwise have to meet the high costs of travelling to the capital for treatment.

The corrective procedures are expected to assist patients with speech development and improve their appearance, confidence and general quality of life.

Air Niugini chief executive officer Alan Milne said the airline welcomed the opportunity to work with organisations providing specialist services outside major centres.

“Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and supporting initiatives such as this cleft surgery mission aligns with our commitment to helping connect communities with essential medical services and improving access to specialist care for Papua New Guineans.

“We are happy to partner with organisations that bring specialist medical services to remote communities that may otherwise have limited access to treatment. Seeing the positive impact these surgeries have on children and their families is truly rewarding, and we look forward to continuing our support for such life-changing health programs in the future,” Mr Milne said.

Head surgeon Dr Jackson Nuli, who led the Port Moresby General Hospital Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, said cleft lip and palate were conditions present from birth.

The conditions occur when the upper lip and palate fail to join properly during a baby's development before birth, and can later affect speech, appearance and social wellbeing.

Dr Nuli said children should ideally receive surgery before they turn two to support normal speech development and reduce the difficulties they may face as they grow older.

He said bringing surgical teams into the provinces was one way of addressing the barriers created by limited theatre capacity in Port Moresby and the cost of travel for rural and provincial families.

“For many families, travelling to Port Moresby for treatment can be costly and difficult. By bringing these services to the provinces, we are able to reduce that burden and ensure more children receive the care they need closer to home.

“I wish to thank everyone for a collaborative effort, Air Niugini, Rotary Club of Boroko, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Health Department, Arawa Rotary Corps and Buka General Hospital,” Dr Nuli said.

The Bougainville programme was the team's second specialist surgical outreach to the region since 2025.

The latest procedures bring the total number of cleft surgeries performed in Bougainville by the team to 32.

Doctors are scheduled to return in February 2027 to conduct follow-up procedures and continue monitoring patients.

The specialist unit has also taken similar services to Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, East New Britain, Morobe, East Sepik and West Sepik over the past three years.

Those missions were supported by organisations including Interplast Australia, PAN Australia and Rotary Club of Boroko.

Air Niugini said it would maintain its support for healthcare programmes designed to connect provincial communities with specialist medical services.