Papua New Guinea Centre for Eye Health

Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

Location

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Sectors

Social InfrastructureHealth

Services

Project ManagementContract Administration

Supporting improved access to eye care in Papua New Guinea through a purpose-built treatment and training hub.

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), many people live with preventable blindness or vision loss. Across the country, 5.6% of adults aged over 50 are blind – the highest rate in the Pacific. With only 13.6% of the population living in urban areas, and eye doctors available in only 8 of the country’s 22 provinces, distance, cost, rugged terrain and tribal conflict make accessing care difficult.

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is working to change this; supporting Pacific partners to restore and preserve sight, train local eye care specialists, and strengthen eye healthcare systems - ensuring equitable and permanent access to eye care for all. To support their mission, TSA Riley is project managing the construction of the new PNG Centre for Eye Health (the Centre) in Port Moresby.

The Centre is being delivered as a joint initiative between the Government of PNG, Port Moresby General Hospital, the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, the PNG National Prevention of Blindness Committee, and The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ.

Funding for the project is being provided by the New Zealand and Australian Governments, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Latter-day Saints Charities, and The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. The project represents a significant step forward in addressing avoidable blindness across the Pacific.

Project delivery in a complex, remote environment

TSA Riley’s project management role began with an initial feasibility review in 2021, and will continue through to the project’s expected completion in late 2026. Our team is helping The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ navigate complex stakeholder engagements, evolving design requirements, and the logistical challenges of delivery in the Pacific.

This includes the use of OpenSpace software, giving the project team and stakeholders real-time digital access to site progress in a complex, remote environment. This is enabling faster decision-making, efficient issue identification and resolution, and clear, shareable visual updates as the project progresses.

Resilient healthcare design

Designing for resilience is critical in PNG, where infrastructure constraints, climate and service reliability all shape how healthcare facilities must perform. The Centre has been designed to operate efficiently and reliably, with key features including:

A 419-panel off-grid solar system will provide high- quality, reliable, renewable energy and lower energy costs.

Harnessing PNG’s high rainfall, the system will capture and store rainwater, providing a reliable water supply and reducing dependency on the local water supply.

An airflow regulation system based on occupancy and internal conditions will increase energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable, stable environment for occupants.

Materials selected for performance in PNG’s tropical climate will be humidity and corrosion resistant, support hygiene, reduce maintenance, and enhance long-term reliability.

Outcome

Once complete, the Centre for Eye Health will help strengthen PNG’s eye health system by providing specialist eye care services, training, and support for more inclusive and equitable services nationwide. As a national hub, it will expand outreach to underserved and hard-to-reach communities – a crucial step towards The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ’s vision of a world without avoidable blindness.