PORT MORESBY – A Philippine Health Tourism Delegation, led by the Philippine Department of Tourism, has successfully concluded a four-day visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector. The visit, which took place on August 12-15, 2025, served as a significant step towards formalizing a medical tourism partnership between the two nations. There was the need to explore innovative solutions to combat the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in PNG such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, cancer, and diabetes.
The Philippine delegation engaged in strategic dialogues with PNG officials and members of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters (SPCHM) led by Committee Chairman, Honorable Robert Naguri, focusing on a proposed Memorandum of Cooperation. This partnership seeks to establish a reliable patient referral pathway for PNG citizens to access advanced medical treatments in the Philippines, as well as to facilitate capacity building, training, and exchange programs for PNG clinicians.
The Ambassador of the Philippines to PNG, His Excellency Ambassador Edgar Tomas Auxilian, underscored the importance of this visit in strengthening the ties between the two countries, particularly during the 50th year of formal diplomatic relations.
The SPCHM will table a Committee Report to the PNG Parliament, focusing on strengthening the national response to NCDs through international cooperation, emphasizing the shared commitment with the Philippines to improving health outcomes and advancing collaboration in medical services and health tourism.
The Philippine delegation was composed of the Philippine Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines, Health & Leisure Corporation (a Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism Integrator), and CHGMC. CGHMC was represented by Dr. Samuel Ang (Medical Director) and Dr. Andre Daniel Villanueva (Director, Business Development & Quality Management).
