Buka General Hospital management now under ABG following MOA signing
The management and administration of Buka General Hospital have now been formally placed in the hands of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the National Department of Health (NDOH) and the ABG Department of Health.
The signing ceremony took place on Friday 4th July 2025 at the National Department of Health in Port Moresby, marking a significant step in the phased drawdown of powers and functions to Bougainville.
ABG Minister for Health Hon. Dennis Lokonai, described this transfer of functions as a significant achievement for the health sector in Bougainville.
“The transfer of Buka General Hospital’s management to the ABG is a significant achievement in the progressive drawdown of powers process. It strengthens our capacity to independently govern critical health services while continuing to work closely with the National Department of Health to uphold national health standards and regulatory compliance,” he said.
Speaking during the signing, National Minister for Health, Hon. Elias Kapavore, said, “The governance, finance and administration of the Buka Hospital are now officially under the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.”
The MOA covers the governance, finance, and administration of Buka General Hospital, which will now officially come under the jurisdiction of the ABG through its Department of Health.
This agreement is part of the ongoing process of functions transfer in the health sector which involves the gradual transfer of three key health powers still retained by the National Department of Health:
- Buka General Hospital
- Procurement of Medical Supplies
- National Health Standards and Compliance
With this transfer completed, two remaining health sector functions are still to be drawn down.
Minister Kapavore added that the National Department of Health would maintain close collaboration with the ABG to uphold health service standards, manage procurement through the Pharmacy Board, and progressively hand over responsibilities like the registration of health workers in line with Bougainville’s growing capacity.
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