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Catholic Church Health Services PNG

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Catholic Church Health Services PNG

Extending the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ with Care & Compassion in Papua New Guinea. Our network of programs offers support to those who need it most.

Catholic Church Health Services is a non-profit organisation originating from Catholic Church which has a long history in providing health care in Papua New Guinea. We provide help and create hope through our 248 health facilities every day. Every day we help the most remote rural population who are sick, dying, living with HIV, and welcoming new life extending the healing ministry mandated by Jesus Christ.

11/06/2026

🏥 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄: 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐔 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝟒 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐓 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕𝟏 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐊 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄

On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, Raihu Health Center will officially be commissioned as St Francis Catholic District Hospital, a Level 4 facility and the main referral hospital for the Aitape-Lumi and Nuku districts. 🌟

The upgrade formalizes what the facility has already been doing for years, delivering a wider range of services and handling complex cases beyond the scope of a standard health center 🙌

Raihu’s story begins in 1955. Franciscan brothers arrived on Tumeleo Island long before roads or electricity reached this part of Papua New Guinea. They built the St Francis Hanseide Leprosarium to treat people affected by leprosy, offering medicine, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy to help patients rebuild their bodies and their lives.

Over time, the mission grew. The Franciscan Sisters took over and renamed it St Mary’s Hospital. Volunteer doctors came. A children's ward and a maternity ward were added. In 1976, a training school for community health workers opened, and it still operates today, sending trained workers into the province's most remote villages.

In 1992, the facility became known as Raihu Rural Health Center (L3). It continued to expand, adding surgery, public health programs, and a Family Support Center. Yet on paper, it has remained classified as a health center to date.

For more than 70 years, Raihu has served as the first and often only point of contact with the health system for generations of families from Aitape-Lumi and Nuku. Many have relied on it for everyday care, emergencies, and maternity services.

The elevation to Level 4 district hospital was approved by the Minister for Health following a comprehensive assessment conducted by the National Department of Health Standards and Compliance Team and the National Catholic Church Health Services in October 2025. The assessment confirmed that Raihu now meets the standards required for a full district hospital, including the capacity to perform surgeries, manage complex deliveries, and offer specialist outpatient care.

The upgrade is the result of years of collaboration between the Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS) of the Diocese of Aitape, the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority, and national health partners. It also reflects the growing demand for services from a population that continues to rely heavily on Raihu for care. 🤝

For families in Aitape-Lumi and Nuku, this means fewer long, expensive trips to Wewak or Vanimo for treatment. It means doctors and nurses with advanced training are now based closer to home. A mother in labor, a child with pneumonia, or a man injured in an accident has a better chance of being treated quickly.

This is a significant step for the health system in West Sepik. More services are now officially available at the district level. It is also an acknowledgment of the vital role Raihu has long delivered across the province.

With its new status as St Francis Catholic District Hospital, Raihu moves forward with a clear mandate to continue serving the people of West Sepik as a fully recognized district hospital.
For West Sepik, June 17 will be a historic date for the people of Aitape-Lumi District. It is the culmination of 71 years of faith, hard work, and a stubborn refusal to let remoteness define the quality of healthcare and the compassion it provides. 🕊️❤️

The official commissioning ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at the hospital grounds in Aitape. Church leaders, health officials, and community members will gather to mark the occasion. The public and media are warmly invited to attend. 🎊

03/06/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐞, 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞: 𝐀 𝟏𝟎𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐒 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥

In remote Papua New Guinea, patient referrals are not merely a matter of writing a referral note; they are a challenging struggle against nature, compounded by logistical issues that burden health workers striving to save lives.

At Bosset Sub-Health Centre, a remote facility operated by Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS) in the Western Province, a typical referral involves a gruelling 12-hour journey on a dinghy through the Fly River to reach Kiunga Hospital.

Last week, the Bosset team faced a maternal referral case requiring urgent attention for a pregnant woman. However, due to a lack of available fuel for the referral, they reached out to the Sustainable Development Program (SDP) for a medivac.

Dorothy Sepba, the officer in charge, shared the details of a challenging yet courageous journey taken by a patient identified during one of the clinic's outreach programs in the remote Mipan village. The woman was advised to travel to the Bosset Sub-Health Centre for a crucial referral to Kiunga Hospital, a journey that would push her endurance and resourcefulness to the limit.

She set off on the arduous trek, traveling on a canoe powered by a carbureto engine, as she navigated the winding and often unpredictable waters of the Fly River. After five long hours battling the elements and the relentless current, she finally arrived at the Bosset facility, exhausted yet resolute.

However, the journey was far from over. "To facilitate the referral from Bosset to Kiunga, we faced a critical challenge — we were short on fuel," Dorothy explained. "In that moment of need, we had to reach out to our partners at SDP and the Western Provincial Health Authority for their invaluable assistance." The situation underscored the importance of community support and collaboration in healthcare delivery, especially in remote regions where resources can be scarce.

To medivac the patient, the Bosset team had to take a two-hour boat ride with her to Aiambak Airstrip for a 30-minute plane flight to Kiunga Hospital. Unfortunately, at Kiunga, the hospital needed to refer the patient again to Tabubil Hospital.

For the pregnant woman, this meant another five-hour journey, this time by vehicle to Tabubil. Dorothy noted that, thanks to the available medivac plane, the total referral journey from Bosset to Tabubil Hospital took 10 hours—two hours less than usual.

She stated that the biggest challenge in patient referrals was the constant fuel shortage, which led to delays in urgent cases. “Despite this, we are grateful for our partners who continue to support us. The geography of the Western region is particularly challenging, and it is through teamwork that we save lives. Unfortunately, the baby did not survive,” Dorothy said.

CCHS Daru-Kiunga Diocesan Health Manager Sr. Philomina mentioned that, due to the distance, Bosset would require three drums of fuel for such a referral. She noted that during the recent referral, the facility only had two drums of fuel, which was insufficient. Most of the time, support comes from our partners.
Although the referral was successful thanks to the collaborative efforts of SDP, doctors at WPHA, CCHS Daru-Kiunga, and Bosset staff, the outcome was bittersweet. The mother survived, but tragically, her child did not.

This heartbreaking experience highlights the harsh realities faced during remote childbirth deliveries and the significant challenges placed on healthcare workers providing services in remote areas of Papua New Guinea.

18/05/2026

The Catholic Church Health Services of the Bereina Diocese recently conducted its first HIV viral load test at Veifa’a Health Centre in Central Province.
This marks a significant improvement to the HIV/AIDS service delivery in the diocese and Central.

Read More: https://tvwan.com.pg/news/9538

’aHIVTest ’aHealthCentre

14/05/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 - 15th May

Theme: “Families, Inequalities, and Child Wellbeing”

Family is more than just a unit, it is a bond that connects, supports, and strengthens us. Families build communities, and communities depend on one another for survival and growth.

At CCHS, our family is made up of dedicated nurses, doctors, Community Health Workers, the people we serve, and the healthcare workers who continue to serve families across Papua New Guinea with care and compassion. Together, our mission is to promote healthier families and healthier communities.

Today, we celebrate families in all our Dioceses and throughout the nation. We also continue to raise awareness that healthy families create a healthy future for our children and generations to come.

Happy International Day of Families to all families across Papua New Guinea!

12/05/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 – 𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐒 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

From remote mountain communities in the Highlands to the island health facilities scattered across Papua New Guinea, Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS) facilities marked International Nurses Day in their own meaningful ways this week, shining a light on the men and women who continue to carry the country’s health system on their shoulders.

Across the country, nurses gathered for candlelight masses, awareness activities, peaceful marches, outreach programs and small fellowship gatherings alongside health partners, supporting stakeholders, donors and surrounding communities.

In many rural facilities where resources remain limited and workloads continue to grow, the day served as more than just a celebration. It was a reminder of the quiet sacrifices nurses make daily long hours, sleepless nights, emergency calls, and the commitment to continue serving despite the many challenges faced in the health sector.

Whether stationed in a busy ward, conducting outreach in remote villages, assisting mothers in labor, or treating patients in isolated aid posts, nurses remain at the center of healthcare delivery in Papua New Guinea.

For many communities, especially in remote parts of the country, nurses are often the first and sometimes the only point of healthcare available.

International Nurses Day provided an opportunity for communities, church health services, and health partners to pause and acknowledge the vital role nurses play in saving lives and keeping health services running across the nation.

While the celebrations may have looked different from one facility to another, one thing remained the same, appreciation for the dedication, resilience and service of nurses throughout Papua New Guinea.

Happy International Nurses Day to all nurses serving across the country.

11/05/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 |Nurses are at the Heart of health service Delivery

Theme: “𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬.”

Today we join the international community to celebrate those at the heart of our health service delivery – Our Nurses.

The delivery of health care from our facilities in the urban settings to the most remote areas in the country becomes stronger and possible because a nurse never stops caring.

At CCHS our nurses stand at the heart of everyday care. Delivering compassion, saving lives, and strengthening communities’ day and night. Their dedication reflects the true meaning of this year’s theme: empowered nurses create healthier futures for all.

Nursing is a Noble Profession. It is a calling that deserves to be recognized and celebrated. Today, we honour the impact, resilience, and commitment of our nurses in all our CCHS facilities in Papua New Guinea.

To all the nurses serving in this beautiful country – HAPPY INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY

01/05/2026

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐞

Twelve health care workers of the Catholic Church Health Services in Kimbe Diocese participated in a weeklong Inclusive Disability Training recently.

The training is a first of its kind facilitated by Callan Services in West New Britain Province in partnership with CCHS Kimbe Diocese and support from Caritas Australia under the Health Facility Infrastructure Improvement Project.

This training was introduced in response to a recognized gap in health service delivery, particularly in ensuring that persons living with disabilities can access care without communication barriers. It is now increasingly acknowledged that inclusive awareness and communication skills are essential for frontline health workers, not only within health facilities but also in their engagement with communities. The program is expected to equip participants with the ability to identify, understand, and effectively communicate with individuals living with special needs, thereby improving the quality and accessibility of care at the health facilities.

Speaking at the opening of the training, Ms. Michaelyne Markus from Callan Services highlighted the importance of sign language, noting its recognition as the fourth language in Papua New Guinea.

She emphasized that even basic knowledge of sign language can make a significant difference in ensuring that differently abled persons and others with communication challenges are able to access health services with respect and understanding. She further stressed that inclusive care requires patience, awareness, and practical skills to bridge communication gaps that often exist in health service delivery.

Callan Services, established by the Christian Brothers since 1991, continues to provide specialized support for individuals with hearing, visual, physical, and developmental impairments. Its partnership with CCHS Kimbe Diocese reflects a growing effort to integrate inclusive disability services within mainstream health systems, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Diocese Health Manager, Mr. Chyinau Aivia, encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained within their respective facilities. He also highlighted the importance of extending inclusive practices into community outreach activities, particularly in identifying households with persons living with disabilities and ensuring they are supported through appropriate health communication approaches when accessing the health facilities.

The training also stands as an important step toward strengthening inclusive healthcare delivery, improving communication between health workers and patients, and ensuring that health services are accessible, responsive, and respectful to all members of the community.

The Inclusive Disability Training was officially opened in Kimbe on 27 April 2026 with the five-day program focusing on strengthening inclusive communication within Catholic health services in West New Britain Province.

29/04/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 – 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲’𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫

As we observe , as parents it is important to know your baby’s immunization schedule.

In Papua New Guinea the immunization schedule requires immunization at seven key health clinic visits, within the first year, starting at birth.

The Catholic Church Health Services health facilities with the continued support of our health partners we provide the essential immunization services including health awareness where parents can know more about the importance of immunization.

As we celebrate this week we encourage parents and guardians to ensure children are vaccinated to protect them from vaccine preventable diseases like polio, measles, whooping cough, hepatitis or TB. 💙

28/04/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 – 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤

As we celebrate this week and raise awareness on the importance of vaccination, we also commend our CCHS doctors, nurses, health extension officers, community health workers making possible for every generation. 💉💪

It takes more than a shot to save a life -it takes dedication. For years health workers’ relentlessness and selfless dedication have ensured immunization services are provided.

At CCHS, many of our health workers serve in some of the country’s remote areas providing health services including the essential immunization services and ensures that no one is left behind. Whether vaccination takes place in a community haus b**g or market place, behind the church building, or under a tree in the middle of a bush trek, our health workers are bringing these live saving vaccines to the people and not just stationed at our health facilities.

Many times, faced with logistic hurdles, unpredictable weather and hours of trekking they remain committed to ensure a child in remote PNG gets a healthy start.

For decades through generations, vaccines have worked and have saved lives- and our team makes it happen💙

28/04/2026

🌍 💉𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤, - 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

For decades vaccines have remained one of the most powerful tools in public health all over the world including Papua New Guinea – saving millions of children from vaccine preventable diseases.

This year’s World Immunization Week theme, "𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤", it is a call for greater efforts to continue advocating on the importance of how vaccines have protected children, families and communities for generation.

At CCHS we stand committed to saving lives through providing the essential immunization services at our health facilities.

Our dedicated health workers are ensuring the next generation are protected through bringing these life saving vaccines to some of our remote communities in the country, advocating through health education, through outreaches and daily immunization at our facilities.

Immunization is a choice that has saved lives yesterday and will continue to save lives today and save lives tomorrow. Make a difference- get your child vaccinated today and spread the word that vaccine saves lives.

Address

PO Box 297, Boroko, NCD
Port Moresby
121

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+6753237198

Website

http://www.catholichealthpng.org/

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