29 Dec 2005

Former PNG prime minister in Port Moresby hospital

4:07 pm on 29 December 2005

The Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Bill Skate is being treated in intensive care in the general hospital in the capital, Port Moresby.

Sir Bill, who was prime minister from 1997 to 1999, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night with high blood pressure.

The hospital's director of medical services says Sir Bill is in a stable condition this afternoon.

Aides say Sir Bill's family had not wanted to take any chances, given his recent history of heart problems.

Most nurses at the hospital are on strike, over demands for better pay.