PNG cancer centre still without oncologist

3:43 pm on 18 January 2017

Referrals to Papua New Guinea's only specialist cancer centre have been put on hold as the centre remains without a permanent radiation oncologist.

Empty hospital bed, generic

Photo: 123RF

An oncologist registrar at the National Cancer Centre in Lae, David Kundi, said the only referrals currently being accepted were for chemotherapy patients.

The Post Courier reported that a radiation oncologist had not been found to replace Dr Deepak Raj Ghimire, who resigned last year, and radiation therapy cannot be offered.

A manager at the department of health, George Otto, said a replacement was being sought, but the case highlights the need for PNG to train its own cancer doctors.

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