17/10/2025
Nurses empowered through Intensive Care Training
A week-long Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care (BASIC) for Nurses course was held at Port Moresby General Hospital last week, drawing 19 participants from provinces across Papua New Guinea.
The training was conducted by the Regional Emergency and Critical Care Systems Strengthening Initiative (RECSI) who facilitated workshops, lectures, and practical sessions for the nurses. There were 4 facilitators from overseas and 2 from PNG with 3 newly trained.
According to Melissa Njoku, RECSI Critical Care Nursing Advisor for PNG and Timor-Leste, and Interim Clinical Co-Lead for RECSI Critical Care (PNG), the training was designed to strengthen and empower nurses in their professional practice.
“So our aim or our goal for the training is to really help empower nurses to provide some of the theoretical knowledge and the clinical skills needed that they can take back into their ICUs from Port Moresby General Hospital to the provinces and that they can further educate the nurses that work alongside them, help them to understand the rationale and the reasons behind our nursing care and to empower them to be able to advocate for their patients and for their colleagues as well,” stated Melissa.
The program began with a one-day instructors’ course, followed by a two-day providers’ course, covering essential topics such as respiratory and cardiovascular physiology, airway management, mechanical ventilation, neurological assessment, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Participants also engaged in skill stations focusing on real-world intensive care scenarios, including mechanical ventilation troubleshooting, intubation care, and communication during emergencies.
Following the training, participants were awarded Certificates of Attendance in recognition of their participation.
This initiative was made possible through the support of the Society of Anaesthetists of Papua New Guinea, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS), the Global Intensive Care Initiative, and in collaboration with the National Department of Health, Port Moresby General Hospital, and the PNGAus Partnership.
Programs like the BASIC for Nurses course continue to play a vital role in building capacity within PNG’s healthcare workforce, ensuring that nurses remain equipped to respond effectively to the complex needs of patients in critical care.