REPORT: Nathan Cleary Launches $5 Million Free Medical Outreach in Papua New Guinea and Underprivileged Australian Communities, July 1–11, 2025
SYDNEY, May 14, 2025 — Rugby league star Nathan Cleary has announced a groundbreaking $5 million medical outreach program that will deliver life-changing healthcare to underserved communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and disadvantaged regions across Australia. Set to take place from July 1 to 11, 2025, the initiative is expected to benefit over 500 individuals through free surgeries, health screenings, and critical medications.
Dubbed the “Hope & Health Mission 2025,” the outreach will deploy a team of over 60 medical professionals—including surgeons, general practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists—to remote villages in PNG and marginalized areas in regional Australia. The effort is being coordinated through a newly established foundation spearheaded by Cleary, in collaboration with international aid groups and local health ministries.
“This isn’t about sport—it’s about stepping up as a human being,” said Cleary during the launch event in Sydney. “I’ve had the privilege of a platform, and now I want to use it to help those without access to even the most basic healthcare.”
The outreach will be divided into two main phases:
Phase One (July 1–6): Medical teams will arrive in Port Moresby and proceed to rural clinics across Papua New Guinea, including communities in Gulf and Western provinces. There, they will provide free cataract surgeries, dental treatments, maternal health services, and chronic disease management for conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Phase Two (July 7–11): The focus will shift to low-income Indigenous and rural areas in northern Queensland, Western New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. Clinics will offer immunizations for children, mental health consultations, and urgent surgical procedures for patients on long waiting lists.
Cleary, 27, has long been involved in off-field philanthropic work, but this marks his largest personal financial commitment to date. His foundation will fully fund travel, accommodations, medical equipment, and medications for the outreach teams and patients.
Health experts have praised the move, noting its potential to save lives and build awareness around preventable diseases. “This is a world-class initiative,” said Dr. Anna Fai, a public health advisor based in PNG. “We often face dire shortages of basic medical supplies. Nathan’s effort is not just generous—it’s vital.”
To ensure long-term impact, the outreach will also train local health workers and donate $1 million worth of medical equipment to hospitals in both PNG and Australia. Mobile health units will be left behind to serve as ongoing care centers.
Cleary’s effort has drawn support from high-profile figures, including fellow athletes, politicians, and faith leaders. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo called it “a shining example of leadership through action,” while PNG Prime Minister James Marape thanked Cleary publicly, calling the mission “a gift of healing.”
Applications for treatment opened today through local clinics and health departments, with hundreds already registering. The foundation has stated that patients will be prioritized based on urgency of need and geographic isolation.
As Cleary prepares to take the field for State of Origin Game 2 in June, his actions off the field may have an even more lasting impact. “I’ll always love footy,” Cleary said, “but helping someone walk again, see again, or just live without pain—that’s the real victory.”
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