Parliament yet to pass kidney transplant legislation

Monday, 3 February 2025, 5:02 pm

Dr Okti Poki, Chief Surgeon and Chairman of Kidney Transplant Project Committee of the Port Moresby General Hospital (NBC News)

The proposed kidney transplant legislation that would enable doctors to perform transplant operations in the country is yet to be passed, says an official.

Kidney transplant project steering committee chairman Dr. Okti Poki in an exclusive interview with NBC News, said efforts are being made to ensure this important legislation is passed.

"The transplant legislation is yet to be passed. Our lawyers are working on it in collaboration with the Policy Division of the National Department of Health," Dr. Poki told NBC News.

"We have purchased some of the most important equipment already. By the end of March, all equipment necessary should be at Port Moresby General Hospital.

"Hopefully, the legislation gets passed in this first quarter of this year.”

Two key machines Human Leukocyte Antigen [HLA] and the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Device [TDM] that will be used for this operation were commissioned last week at the Port Moresby General Hospital as preparation for performing the first kidney transplant in the country.

This is a breakthrough for the country approaching its 50th independence where the country’s biggest referral hospital will take the first step to deliver this much-needed service.

However, to do this important operation, the Parliament will have to pass the transplant legislation.

Dr. Oki said the committee is working tirelessly to ensure all requirements are met for a successful first kidney transplant.

They are looking forward to extending kidney transplant service to neighboring Pacific countries so that their patients, who are currently being sent to New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, or other countries for kidney transplant services, can have the procedure done in the country driving medical tourism which achieves the Government's objective of growing the economy.