The Mt. Hagen Provincial Hospital has continued to demonstrate positive and improving trends in maternal and newborn health outcomes since 2022, despite increasing service demand and its role as the province’s main referral facility. 

These improvements were clearly reflected during the recent festive period, when the Labour Ward safely delivered 42 babies—21 on Christmas Day 2025 and another 21 on New Year’s Day 2026. All babies were born alive, with no maternal or neonatal deaths recorded during that period.

According to reports received from the Labour Ward, it is confirmed that all babies were born healthy and that no deaths were recorded. Despite having a limited number of healthcare workers during the busy period, the dedicated staff ensured that all deliveries were carried out safely, without complications or loss of life.

Since 2022, Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital has built on this same spirit of dedication, recording steady improvements in maternal and newborn outcomes. Supervised births have increased, obstetric complications are being managed more effectively, and both maternal and perinatal deaths have shown a declining trend. These achievements are a result of strengthened emergency obstetric and newborn care, early identification of high-risk pregnancies, and timely clinical interventions, all of which have enhanced the hospital’s ability to deliver quality care despite consistently high numbers of patients.

At the same time, surrounding health centers such as Ogelbeng, Tipulga, and Wagbel have begun offering birthing services, supporting decentralisation efforts and easing pressure on the referral hospital, thereby expanding access to safe childbirth across the province.

Persistent challenges such as teenage pregnancy and high service utilisation remain priorities for ongoing prevention, nutrition, and reproductive health programs.

Overall, the observed trends since 2022 confirm Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital’s central role in safeguarding the health and nutrition of mothers and newborns, while driving provincial progress toward safer childbirth and improved early-life outcomes.