A landmark health partnership between the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and Pacific International Hospital (PIH) has been formally signed, unlocking expanded healthcare access, discounted medical services, and nationwide preventive health programs for thousands of students, and the staff and their families.
The three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday, Thursday June 18th, 2026, at PIH’s 3 Mile facility in Port Moresby and will take effect on July 1st, 2026.
The agreement brings together two major national institutions to strengthen early intervention, emergency response and long-term wellbeing across the university community.
UPNG Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay said the partnership is a major step in improving healthcare access for students and staff.
He said many students previously faced delays in accessing critical care.
“This agreement is a practical step toward improving health outcomes and strengthening wellbeing services across our university community,” Findlay said.
He said the partnership will reduce barriers to emergency and specialist treatment.
PIH Chief Executive Officer Sandeep Shaligram said the initiative is focused on fast and reliable access to healthcare services.
He said the collaboration strengthens both emergency response and preventive care delivery.
“This ensures rapid and effective access to quality healthcare for the entire UPNG community,” Shaligram said.
Under the agreement, students, staff and their families will access emergency care pathways, specialist referrals, discounted consultations and structured campus-based health programs.
PIH will provide weekly psychosocial counselling, optometry services, fortnightly dental screenings and monthly hearing tests at the UPNG Waigani campus.
The program also introduces structured referral systems between UPNG clinics and PIH facilities to improve emergency response times.
UPNG staff and dependents will receive a 20 percent discount on specialist consultations while students will receive a 50 percent discount on selected general practitioner, gynaecology and paediatric services at PIH medical centres in Waigani and Rainbow upon presentation of valid identification.
UPNG Health Services Director Dr Christopher Kinip said rising health challenges among young people and working adults make preventive care more important than ever.
He said conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stress related illness and anxiety are becoming more common within the university community.
“This partnership will help shift healthcare delivery from reactive treatment to early intervention and ongoing health education,” Kinip said.
The agreement also includes regular preventive health programs focused on early detection, counselling and health awareness campaigns.
The MOU is set for an initial three-year term with provisions for renewal depending on future healthcare needs.
Both institutions say implementation will begin from July 1, 2026, with services to be rolled out progressively across campus.
The partnership is part of a wider effort to strengthen institutional healthcare collaboration in Papua New Guinea, with a focus on prevention, access and early response.
