BY GRACE AUKA-SALMANG

The new cancer centre at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), once completed will be an icon for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
This is the first-of-its-kind in their careers and the big picture is that, it is a first for PNG and yet a bigger project amongst neighbouring Pacific countries.
This is what clinical oncologists, Dr Karthik Periasamy and Dr Priya Baskaran had to say during a media conference, last week. “We are very passionate about this project and are committed to it. As clinical oncologists, we are willing to give whatever it asks for.
“However, we can be enabled only with the continued support of the PNG government, PMGH management, PNG media and the people of PNG.
“It is in their hands to support this project fully. We give our assurance that it will be taken care by us. We can’t wait to have the cancer centre up and running. That’s how much we love doing our job,” Dr Karthik said.
According to the couple, they are glad to be a part of such a monumental event in the history of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
“The gratitude is mutual in us finding PMGH and in PMGH finding us. The complexity and the uniqueness of the project demands dedicated minds and hands to work together in order to realise it,” he said.
According to the doctors, the PMGH chief executive officer, Dr Paki Molumi is a solid pillar of support who bears the entire burden of this cancer facility and envisions a fully functioning cancer center for the people of PNG.
“We will need media’s committed support in creating awareness against cancer, eliminating the myths and misconceptions around cancer, cultivating healthy lifestyle, succeeding in screening programs and gaining the trust of the people of PNG that the PMGH cancer centre will do its best for its cancer patients,” Dr Karthik said.
He said their long terms agendas are; establishing cancer centers in other regional hospitals, cancer research in PMGH cancer center and producing qualified clinical oncologists and promoting medical tourism in PNG for cancer treatment.
The couple returned to Port Moresby three months ago after first arriving in the country last September.