Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) has welcomed progress on the new Cancer Treatment Facility and Kumul Petroleum National Heart Centre at Port Moresby General Hospital, while ordering a review of the stalled Surgical Ward project.
The KPHL Board inspected the facilities during a site visit facilitated by PMGH Chief Executive Officer Paki Molume and hospital management.
KPHL Chairman Isaac Lupari, board director Jacob Anga and acting Managing Director Luke Liria visited the Cancer Treatment Facility, which is scheduled to open next month, as well as the National Heart Centre.
KPHL has committed K10 million toward structural works at the cancer facility, including foundation works for two cancer treatment bunkers.
The company attributed progress on the project to the direct involvement of PMGH management and its board, together with oversight from an independent project manager.
Once operational, the facility is expected to improve access to cancer treatment in Papua New Guinea and reduce the need for patients to travel overseas for costly treatment.
Lupari said the health investments aligned with national development priorities. KPHL has committed more than K50 million toward restoring and improving the National Heart Centre at PMGH.
The investment has strengthened the hospital’s capacity to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of death in PNG, KPHL said.
The board, however, expressed serious concerns about the Surgical Ward project, which was managed separately by external project managers.
According to KPHL and PMGH management, the hospital had limited control and oversight of the project, with its management and decision-making team having no direct role in its design and construction.
The project has incurred expenditure approaching K70 million, but KPHL said there was little visible development on the ground despite the substantial investment.
The board expressed disappointment with the management of the project and said a forensic audit had been conducted under the direction of the trustee and the government.
The audit findings will be scrutinized, with appropriate action to be taken to recover funds and establish accountability, KPHL said.
KPHL said it would also reassess the Surgical Ward project’s scope, design, funding and implementation arrangements, recognizing the facility’s importance to PMGH’s operations.
The review is intended to identify a path to salvage and complete the project while strengthening accountability over KPHL-funded infrastructure initiatives.
