Papua New Guinea is in need of more health workers to cater for the growing population.
The country currently employs only 15,000 health workers when the actual need is 55,000.
Health Secretary Pascoe Kase said the proposed standalone University of Medicine and Health Science will help decrease the current doctor to patient ratio of 1 doctor to 17,000 people.
Kase said the Government aims to produce more doctors in the country by converting the University of PNG’s School of Medicine to a standalone University of Medicine and Health Science.
Kase thanked the National Doctors Association (NDA) for recognising the need of the people by supporting the move to establishing the university.
PNG NDA president Dr James Naipao said this will come to fulfillment and they are proud of the achievement.
Naipao said the country will soon see an increase in graduate doctors in the medical field each year, with the establishment of the stand-alone university.
The submission to establish the university will be put forward to the National Executive Council for endorsement.
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