On the afternoon of December 19, 2024, Elias Pelindra Kapavore, the Minister of Health of Papua New Guinea, led a health delegation to visit the First Affiliated Hospital of CQMU. The delegation included Charles Paki Molumi, CEO of Port Moresby General Hospital, Kone Sobi, the hospital’s Director of Medical Services, Esther Apuahe, the hospital’s Neurosurgeon, and Kassi Keman Ken, CEO of Simbu Provincial Health Authority.

The delegation was welcomed by Tang Yuanhang, Deputy Director of of International Cooperation Department of Chongqing Municipal Health Commission; He Jianguo, Vice President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ding Fu, Deputy Director of the Nursing Department; Dai Haiyun, Deputy Director of the Human Resource Department; as well as key medical specialists, including Tang Junying, Director of the Gynecology Department; Yang Gang, Director of the Neurosurgery Department; Zhou Qin, leader of China’s 6th China Medical Team to Papua New Guinea and gynecologist; and Zhang Jinsong, leader of the 7th China Medical Team and maxillofacial surgeon.

During their visit, Minister Kapavore and the delegation met with experts from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University for an in-depth exchange. Vice President He Jianguo introduced the hospital’s ongoing cooperation with Papua New Guinea in healthcare and medical services. He emphasized that since 2002, the hospital has sent seven medical teams and two short-term expert groups to Papua New Guinea, providing significant support to Port Moresby General Hospital, including the establishment of a minimally invasive surgery center. He expressed his hope for further communication and cooperation in the future.

Charles Paki Molumi, CEO of Port Moresby General Hospital, reflected on the fruitful exchanges with China medical teams over the past 22 years. He expressed sincere gratitude for the assistance from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, especially in helping establish the minimally invasive surgery center and providing valuable training for the staff from Port Moresby General Hospital. He noted that these efforts have contributed to the improvement of  healthcare standards in Papua New Guinea and better treatment for local patients. He looked forward to sending more medical staff to Chongqing for further training in the future.

Minister Elias Pelindra Kapavore, speaking on behalf of the Papua New Guinea government and Health Ministry, extended heartfelt thanks to the Chongqing municipal government, the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University for their long-standing support. He highly praised the discipline construction and medical service capabilities of the First Affiliated Hospital of CQMU and highlighted that the delegation felt a profound sense of familiarity upon  meeting doctors who had previously worked in Papua New Guinea as part of China medical teams. He reiterated his appreciation and expressed anticipation for further collaboration.

The delegation visited the outpatient department of the First Affiliated Hospital of CQMU and the operating rooms where they observed robotic and minimally invasive surgeries.