Dr. Rachel Wartoto

Dr. Rachel Wartoto is Papua New Guinea's dedicated medical oncologist, providing cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and palliative care services at Port Moresby General Hospital. With over 12 years of clinical experience, she plays a pivotal role in a healthcare system where oncology specialist capacity remains limited relative to the country's significant cancer burden. PNG faces high rates of cervical cancer, breast cancer, and tobacco-related malignancies, making access to oncology expertise a critical public health priority. Dr. Wartoto provides systemic cancer treatment — including cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted therapies — alongside comprehensive supportive care. She works in close collaboration with surgeons and pathologists to ensure multidisciplinary cancer management for her patients. Recognizing the barriers that many Papua New Guineans face in accessing care, Dr. Wartoto has been instrumental in developing outreach and telemedicine initiatives to connect patients in remote provinces with oncology expertise. Her commitment to patient-centered and culturally respectful care has earned her deep trust within the communities she serves.

Dr. Wartoto earned her MBBS from the University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She subsequently pursued specialist physician training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) pathway, completing her Fellowship in Internal Medicine (FRACP) with subspecialty training in Medical Oncology at an Australian university hospital. During her oncology fellowship, she gained extensive experience in the management of solid tumours, haematological malignancies, and cancer in pregnancy. She undertook additional training in gynaecological oncology and palliative medicine to address the specific cancer burden prevalent in PNG. Dr. Wartoto participates in continuing education through RACP's CPD framework and the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) and collaborates regularly with Australian oncologists through telemedicine case conferences.

Dr. Wartoto's oncology expertise covers a broad range of malignancies with emphasis on the cancers most prevalent in Papua New Guinea. She manages cervical cancer (including HPV-related disease), breast cancer (early and metastatic), colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and head and neck cancers. She prescribes and supervises a range of systemic therapies including conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, hormonal therapies for breast and prostate cancers, and targeted molecular therapies where available. Her gynaecological oncology sub-expertise enables her to manage ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and vulvar cancer in coordination with surgical colleagues. Dr. Wartoto has developed particular skill in managing cancer in resource-limited settings, adapting international treatment guidelines to the specific constraints and realities of PNG's healthcare infrastructure. She provides robust palliative and end-of-life care, including pain management, nausea control, and psychosocial support for patients and families.

Port Moresby General Hospital serves as the oncology referral center for Papua New Guinea and occasionally receives patients from neighboring Pacific island nations where oncology services are unavailable. Dr. Wartoto offers telemedicine consultations for second opinions and for reviewing pathology and imaging results from patients who cannot travel to Port Moresby. English is the primary language of consultation. For patients traveling from abroad for cancer treatment, the hospital's international patient desk can assist with logistical coordination. Comprehensive medical records, histopathology reports, and imaging studies are required for initial oncology consultations. Dr. Wartoto also liaises with oncology teams in Australia for cases requiring radiation therapy or advanced treatments not available in PNG.

Dr. Wartoto is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and a member of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) and the Papua New Guinea Medical Society. She has been recognized by the PNG National Department of Health for her leadership in developing the national cancer control strategy. She received a commendation from the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) for her work in expanding cancer awareness in Pacific communities. She is an advocate for HPV vaccination programs and cervical cancer screening in PNG.