Our work in Papua New Guinea

Our work in Papua New Guinea

The WHO Representative in Papua New Guinea (PNG) role is to support the National Department of Health (NDoH) in providing technical assistance for policy-making in achieving sustainable health programs and development in PNG. This involves a wide range of technical guidance and cooperation, to ensure that essential health care is accessible to most to most of its citizens. 

 

 

 

 

Papua New Guinea-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2028

The Papua New Guinea–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2024–2028 describes how the World Health Organization (WHO) country office will support the implementation of the Papua New Guinea Vision 2050 and the National Health Plan 2021–2030 over the next five years. The development of the country's cooperation strategy involved a thorough process of collaboration and consultations with various stakeholders. The process resulted in the identification of four strategic priorities based on the country’s context and needs.

 

The National Health Plan of Papua New Guinea

The Papua New Guinea National Health Plan 2021–2030 aims to prevent illness, address health risks, and provide accessible and affordable health care for all. The Plan focuses on five key results areas with 22 objectives and indicators for 2030, which include effective management, partnerships, access to quality services, targeted health priorities and strengthened health systems.

 

The strategic agenda of the Country Cooperation Strategy

The strategic agenda, covering four strategic priorities and 19 focus areas, is aligned with Papua New Guinea Vision 2050, which covers 2010 to 2050, and supports the Vision’s seven pillars and other national health policies. 

The complex health challenges in Papua New Guinea require creative partnerships within and beyond the health sector. For example, partnerships to strengthen health security require a One Health approach that engages agencies from various sectors. Developing high-impact partnerships at regional and national levels will help to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy and national health and development goals.

 

Strategic priorities of WHO in Papua New Guinea

Priority 1: Resilient systems for health

  1. Strengthened human resources for health
  2. Improved access to quality essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and devices
  3. Accelerated fight against antimicrobial resistance
  4. Strengthened use of multi-source strategic information including research for evidence-based decision-making
  5. Improved availability of and access to essential health services at the primary level
  6. Enhanced action and innovation for health through governance, partnerships and intersectoral coordination

Priority 2: Healthier populations and NCDs

  1. Improved reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health through people-centred strategies
  2. Improved immunization coverage
  3. Improved actions for gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence and addressing other social determinants of health
  4. Reduced morbidity and mortality due to violence and injuries
  5. Prevention of non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health

Priority 3: Integrated health services delivery targeted to high-priority diseases

  1. Reduced burden of high-priority diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis to accelerate progress towards their elimination at the national and subnational levels
  2. Reduced transmission and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in endemic communities
  3. Management and control of noncommunicable diseases including mental health

Priority 4: Health security

  1. Enhanced capacity for preparedness and response to health emergencies
  2. Strengthened food safety measures
  3. Strengthened mitigation, response and adaptation measures to address the health impacts of climate change and environmental hazards
  4. Prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks to minimize morbidity, mortality and socioeconomic impact
  5. Improved water, sanitation, and hygiene, including health-care waste management and infection prevention and control

Publications

All →