The family of the founding prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has confirmed that Sir Michael is in a critical health condition.

The family released a statement, advising that Sir Michael has been admitted to Pacific International hospital with serious pancreatic cancer.

"It is with sadness that I advise on behalf of the Somare Family the serious illness pancreatic cancer that has befallen our father Sir Michael, it is at a critical stage and we as a family along with his medical teams are giving him the utmost care in Port Moresby that he deserves.

“After comprehensive consultation to ensure all clinical opportunities were exhausted in every jurisdiction with the competencies able to treat the critical stage of this form of cancer, the family in consultation with the Grand chief and Lady veronica have settled with offering the best palliative care and nutritional and dietary care in PNG.

“Due to the numerous enquiries, we thought it best to be forthright so the public knows the exact extent of this terrible illness.

“Many families have experienced such grief and today its our turn. We thus take this opportunity to thank the many Papua New Guineans that have sent in their well wishes and prayers for the health and wellbeing of Sir Michael and Lady Veronica.

“We as a family continue to ask people of Papua New Guinea for your prayers for Sir Michael and all others that are critically ill and suffering quietly around the country, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Sir John Ribat has also joined the family in calling on prayer groups throughout the nation to pray for the healing and health of the country's founding Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

The Cardinal made the call after he visited Sir Michael at his sickbed Sunday where he also held a mass with Sir Michael, Lady Veronica, and family members.

SOURCE: NBC PNG/PACNEWS

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