PaNGONA Artilces and Insights 2025

By: Mr. Peter Fore, RN, President, Papua New Guinea Oncology Nurses’ Association (PaNGONA)
Date: 11th October 2025

Cancer is an escalating public health challenge globally, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected in terms of both morbidity and mortality. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is no exception. Despite the increasing incidence of cancer, the oncology nursing workforce in PNG remains critically limited, unevenly distributed, and under-resourced. This inaugural edition of PaNGONA Insight aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of oncology nursing in PNG, contextualize it within regional and global trends, and highlight strategic priorities for strengthening cancer care delivery.

Current Landscape of Oncology Nursing in PNG

PNG currently has fewer than fifty formally trained oncology nurses serving a population of over nine million. The nurse-to-population ratio is therefore extremely low, particularly when compared to regional peers. Most oncology nurses are concentrated in urban centers such as Port Moresby and Lae, leaving rural populations with limited access to specialized cancer care.

Several systemic challenges exacerbate the workforce deficit. Formal education pathways in oncology nursing are minimal, with specialization primarily dependent on workshops, short courses, or on-the-job training. Opportunities for continuous professional development are constrained by financial, logistical, and technological limitations. Resource shortages across many healthcare facilities, including chemotherapy medications, radiotherapy infrastructure, and palliative care services, place additional strain on the existing workforce. Compounding these challenges, cancer patients in PNG often present at late stages, particularly for high-prevalence cancers such as oral, cervical, and breast cancers, emphasizing the urgent need for early detection and health literacy interventions.

Comparative Context: Regional and Global Perspective

When compared to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, PNG’s oncology nursing workforce is critically small relative to both population size and cancer burden. Australia, for example, has approximately 1,800 oncology nurses serving 26 million people, while New Zealand has 450 oncology nurses for a population of 5.1 million. Even larger middle-income countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia maintain higher numbers of oncology nurses than PNG, though they face challenges in geographic coverage and service equity. In this context, PNG’s low workforce density represents a significant barrier to delivering timely, quality cancer care and highlights the urgency for comprehensive workforce planning and development strategies.

Strategic Priorities for Oncology Nursing in PNG

To address these challenges, a multi-level approach is essential. Education and professional development must be expanded through structured diploma and postgraduate programs, integrating evidence-based curricula and clinical placements across provincial hospitals. Regional capacity building is critical to decentralize services, improve access in rural areas, and support nurses with telehealth and outreach programs. Policy advocacy is needed to formalize oncology nursing as a recognized specialty, with clear career pathways, incentives, and retention mechanisms.

Furthermore, research and evidence generation led by oncology nurses can inform local practice, enhance patient outcomes, and support evidence-based decision-making in cancer care delivery. Finally, community engagement initiatives must strengthen public awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, and palliative care, leveraging nurses as frontline educators.

The Role of PaNGONA

PaNGONA exists to connect, unite, and empower oncology nurses across PNG through education, research, leadership, and advocacy. Our strategic vision prioritizes the expansion of specialized training, promotion of evidence-based practice, advocacy for workforce development, and the advancement of palliative care standards. By focusing on these areas, PaNGONA aims to reduce the workforce gap, improve patient outcomes, and build a resilient oncology nursing workforce capable of addressing PNG’s growing cancer burden.

Conclusion

The state of oncology nursing in PNG reflects profound challenges, including workforce scarcity, limited training, and systemic resource constraints. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities for targeted intervention, policy reform, and professional empowerment. Through coordinated efforts in education, research, advocacy, and community engagement, oncology nurses in PNG can deliver high-quality, accessible, and compassionate cancer care. PaNGONA remains committed to leading this transformation, ensuring that all Papua New Guineans affected by cancer receive timely, competent, and dignified care.

Peter Fore, RN
President, Papua New Guinea Oncology Nurses’ Association (PaNGONA)