City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) is transforming healthcare in Papua New Guinea with a vision to make quality, accessible, and comprehensive health services available nationwide. Since its founding in 1987 as a single pharmacy, CPL has grown into the country’s largest healthcare provider, spanning 19 provinces and extending services throughout the South Pacific. This feature explores CPL’s legacy, commitment, innovations, and vision shaping PNG’s healthcare landscape.
A Legacy Rooted in Healthcare and Community
CPL’s journey began when founders Mahesh and Usha Patel established a modest pharmacy at Garden City Mall, Boroko, Port Moresby, to fill a gap in modern pharmaceutical services. Mahesh Patel, who arrived in PNG in 1984 with only AUD 35, saw firsthand the urgent need for reliable healthcare access. Starting with just four staff, CPL grew steadily, opening more pharmacies and expanding into wholesale, medical equipment supply, and health services.
Mr. Patel reflects on the origins:
“Healthcare isn’t new to us – it’s been part of our DNA since 1987. Since then, we have expanded far beyond retail, reaching every corner of PNG with services that empower individuals and communities to live healthier lives.”
CPL’s vision is unambiguous: “Helping the people of Papua New Guinea live healthier and better lives.” Its mission follows: “To be the preferred healthcare provider by delivering quality, accessible services that improve health outcomes.”
Comprehensive Healthcare Services
A cornerstone of CPL’s healthcare strategy is the expansion of Wellness Medical Centers that bring integrated services to local communities. The flagship City Pharmacy Wellness Medical Center at Vision City, Port Moresby, is a landmark example of this commitment. Equipped with the latest technology and staffed by skilled healthcare professionals, the center offers an extensive array of primary healthcare and diagnostic services, including:
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Outpatient consultations
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Doctor services across specialties
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Optometry and dental care
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Child immunizations and women’s health clinics
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Pre-employment and insurance medical assessments
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X-rays, ultrasounds, wound care, and lab diagnostics
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Daycare treatment procedures and referrals for specialist care
By providing a one-stop healthcare solution, CPL ensures timely, effective treatment that reduces dependency on crowded provincial hospitals.
Impact Through Outreach and Capacity Building
Beyond static centers, CPL actively delivers healthcare outreach programs via dedicated nurses and health extension officers. Over the past year alone, these programs reached approximately 200,000 patients, easing pressure on public hospitals and extending care to remote locales.
Pradeep Panda, CPL’s Head of Pharmacy, underscores the importance of these efforts:
“That’s more than just a statistic: it’s 200,000 people who didn’t need to crowd provincial hospitals, helping to ease the strain on those vital facilities.”
CPL also supports healthcare professionals by supplying advanced medical equipment and providing technical support and training through its Medical and Laboratory Supplies division. This fosters improved diagnosis, treatment, and patient care quality.
Partnerships for Universal Health Coverage
CPL’s success owes much to robust collaborations with government and non-government entities. Dr. Dora Lentrut, Deputy Health Secretary – National Health Standards, praises these partnerships:
“This project clearly shows the power of collaboration with government health agencies. CPL has actively partnered with provincial and national health authorities to ensure the Centre meets regulatory requirements and contributes meaningfully to PNG’s broader vision of Universal Health Coverage.”
Public-private partnerships like these strengthen PNG’s health systems, enhancing regulatory compliance and service quality.
Seamless Continuity with an Effective Referral System
Understanding the importance of continuous care, CPL Wellness Medical Centers incorporate strong referral mechanisms. Should patients require specialist or hospital services, CPL ensures they are smoothly directed to appropriate public or private facilities, enhancing treatment continuity and outcomes.
Dr. Robin Oge, Acting CEO of the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority, affirms this approach’s value:
“This Wellness Medical Center is a welcome addition to our healthcare network in NCD. It shows what can be achieved when the private sector and public health systems collaborate to deliver accessible, quality care.”
Innovation Guided by the One Health Approach
CPL’s strategy embraces the global “One Health” philosophy that recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. This holistic outlook drives CPL’s initiatives and partnerships aimed at sustainable and comprehensive healthcare solutions suitable for PNG’s unique contexts.
Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Opportunities
Operating in PNG presents logistical, infrastructural, and economic challenges. CPL remains resilient, innovating supply chains and service delivery to overcome such hurdles. Its investment in training, technology, and expanding wellness centers embodies its commitment to long-term healthcare development.
Mahesh Patel sums up CPL’s approach and hope for PNG:
“We have faced our share of challenges, but we believe in PNG’s positive future. We are here to stay and grow, improving healthcare for all Papua New Guineans.”
Vision for the Future
CPL plans to replicate its Vision City Wellness Model nationwide. By expanding healthcare accessibility, integrating modern services, and fostering partnerships, CPL aims to reduce health disparities and improve overall community well-being.
CPL’s dedication to empowering healthier communities mirrors the hopes of PNG itself—a future where every person has access to world-class healthcare, supported by a network of compassionate professionals and innovative resources.
