July 1–11, 2025 | Over 500 to Receive Surgeries, Screenings, and Medications
In an extraordinary show of compassion and leadership off the field, Australian rugby league star Nathan Cleary has launched a landmark free medical outreach program targeting remote and underserved communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and disadvantaged regions of Australia. The initiative, which will run from July 1 to July 11, 2025, is expected to provide life-changing medical support to over 500 individuals, including surgeries, health screenings, and access to essential medications.
Cleary, 27, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern rugby league, is personally funding and leading the effort alongside a team of Australian and PNG-based doctors, nurses, and health professionals. The program, named the Healing on the Horizon Mission, aims to bridge the critical healthcare gap experienced by vulnerable populations in rural settings.
“Playing footy has given me a platform, and I want to use it to make a meaningful difference,” Cleary said in a statement released early Thursday morning. “This outreach is about giving back—to communities that don’t always get the spotlight or the support they deserve.”
A Dual-Focus Operation
The outreach will begin in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, where hundreds are expected to gather at mobile clinics set up in partnership with local health agencies. From there, the mission will continue to remote communities in Far North Queensland and Western New South Wales, where access to consistent healthcare remains a pressing issue.
Over the 11-day initiative, medical professionals will perform an estimated 150 minor and major surgical procedures, including cleft palate corrections, hernia repairs, and cataract removals. In addition, over 300 individuals will receive general health screenings for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and anemia. Medication and treatment plans will be provided on-site, free of charge.
Dr. Clara Tenakai, a Papua New Guinean surgeon who will co-lead the outreach, emphasized the impact of the mission. “Many of these patients have waited years for basic surgical care. With Nathan’s help, we’re able to bring the operating theater to them.”
Sport Meets Service
Cleary’s initiative is one of the first major athlete-led medical missions of its kind in the region. In collaboration with several non-profit organizations, including Medivolve International and the PNG Rural Health Alliance, the campaign will utilize mobile surgical units, volunteer networks, and donated pharmaceuticals.
The outreach is also supported by a growing number of Cleary’s peers and fans, who have contributed funds, supplies, and public awareness. Former teammate and fellow advocate Brian To’o praised Cleary’s leadership. “Nathan has always had a heart for the people. This goes beyond rugby—it’s about hope.”
Inspiring a Broader Movement
Beyond the immediate impact of the medical services, Cleary’s initiative is also sparking conversations about long-term solutions to healthcare inequality in the Pacific and regional Australia. Advocates are calling on both governments and major sports organizations to invest in similar community-based health projects.
“Access to healthcare shouldn’t depend on geography or income,” said Dr. Michelle Tan, who is helping coordinate outreach logistics. “This mission proves that where there is will, there is a way.”
Looking Ahead
As the July 1 start date approaches, anticipation is building in the target communities. Local volunteers are preparing accommodations, and logistics teams are finalizing transport for medical supplies and staff. Cleary himself will join the mission in both PNG and Australia, working on-site and spending time with families and patients.
“I’m not a doctor, but I can help make it happen,” he said. “Every child, every elder, every family we help—this is why we play, why we live, why we care.”
Nathan Cleary’s Healing on the Horizon initiative may very well mark a new chapter in how athletes engage with their platforms—not just to entertain, but to heal, to serve, and to lead.