Women in East New Britain (ENB) province will no longer need to travel to New Ireland for cervical cancer testing, thanks to the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory at Nonga Provincial Hospital. Health Minister Elias Kapavore officially opened the PCR lab along with a new medical waste incinerator during a ceremony held on the eve of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence celebrations. The milestone project is part of a World Bank-funded initiative, implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in collaboration with the National Department of Health (NDoH). “This is a major step forward in improving our healthcare services.” “We now have the capacity to deliver same-day test results without needing to send samples to Port Moresby. This is vital for timely diagnosis and treatment.” The PCR lab is equipped to test for a wide range of diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, cervical cancer (HPV), and even genetic disorders and forensic analysis, making it the most advanced and only fully operational PCR lab in the country. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ENB Provincial Health Authority (PHA) Dr. Ako Yap, described the lab as a “game-changer” for both clinical and public health services in the New Guinea Islands region. “It is a one-stop shop for diagnostics. We can now manage testing locally and reduce delays that previously risked patient outcomes.” The upgraded incinerator, replacing an outdated eight-year-old model, doubles the medical waste disposal capacity, from 20kg to 30kg per hour, improving infection prevention and control at the facility. The commissioning was attended by senior government officials, including Member for Rabaul Dr. Allan Marat, Fisheries Minister Jelta Wong, representatives from UNOPS, the World Bank, and local community leaders. Meanwhile, UNOPS Country Manager Sirpa Jarvenpaa, said the infrastructure reflects a strong partnership between the PNG government, the World Bank, and implementing agencies. On the other hand, World Bank Acting Division Director Stephen N. Ndegwa, expressed their support towards sustainable health services that improve care and build resilience across PNG. The laboratory and incinerator are part of the broader COVID-19 extension project, which continues to address critical gaps in health infrastructure and disease preparedness nationwide.