The National Capital District Provincial Health Authority recorded more than 279,000 patient visits across its health facilities between January and June this year.

Chief Executive Officer Dr Robin Oge says Geruhu General Hospital attended to 90,681 patients during the six-month period.

“In six months, Gerehu Hospital attended to 90,681 patients, more than half of everything it did in the whole of last year.”

He says almost 33,000 patients were seen in the adult and children’s outpatient clinics, while the Emergency Department, which operates 24 hours a day, attended to 14,143 patients.

The hospital also admitted 436 patients, while specialists saw more than 4,782 patients.

Across the NCD health network, 24 health facilities recorded 189,240 patient visits.

Dr Oge says Six-Mile Clinic was the busiest facility, recording 56,063 visits in the first six months.

“Its 24-hour service attended to 11,836 patients after 4 p.m. in the afternoon.”

He says the service is helping reduce pressure on Port Moresby General Hospital’s Emergency Department.

“That's about 65 patients every evening who would have otherwise gone to Port Moresby General Hospital Emergency Department.”