Patients in Bogia district in Madang province are being turned away or referred elsewhere as the main health centre struggles to provide even basic treatment.

At Bogia Health Centre, staff say they cannot stabilize patients due to lack of essential medicines.

Acting program health manager Sr Christine Akuram said the situation is affecting patient care every day.

“Many patients come with severe infections, but we cannot help them,” she said.

“We don’t even have basic drugs to stabilize them.”

This means patients who could be treated locally are instead sent to other facilities.

Families must travel long distances. Many cannot afford the cost.

Health workers say the problem has been ongoing for more than a year.

“There has been no proper medicine supply,” Sr Akuram said.

The impact is also seen inside the facility.

Some staff are losing motivation, with reports of officers taking time off as they are unable to treat patients.

At the same time, demand for services remains high.

Serious cases continue to arrive daily, placing pressure on the limited staff.

Testing services are also affected.

The centre has a microscope but no trained lab technician. This means samples must be sent away for testing, delaying results for up to two weeks.

Despite the challenges, some services continue.

Tuberculosis treatment is still available, although supplies are limited. Health workers say some patients fail to complete treatment, leading to repeat infections.

The wider health system is also under strain.

Many aid posts in remote areas are closed due to lack of staff. One health centre in the district is not operating.

Transport remains a major barrier.

“We need vehicles to reach our communities,” Sr Akuram said.

She said outreach programs such as immunization and disease control are affected.

Health officials are now calling for urgent support.

“We need drugs,” she said.

“We must find ways to get medicines to our people.”