WHO Papua New Guinea

12/09/2025

WHO is proud to Celebrate 50 Years of Independence with Papua New Guinea!

10/09/2025

“I’m having a hard time. I want to kill myself.”

“I’ve noticed you’ve been having a tough time of it lately. Are you thinking about su***de?”

“I don’t want to be here anymore.”

🎗️

It’s okay to talk about ***de. But it’s hard to start the conversation.

1 in 4 su***des globally happen in the Western Pacific Region. Many of those who die by ***de are young people. For every su***de, there are many more su***de attempts, which can create lasting impacts on families and communities.

How can you make a difference?

If you are struggling, reach out. If someone you know is struggling, reach out.

Tomorrow is . Remember, can save a life.

03/09/2025

WHO Regional Director Visits Jiwaka Province.

Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, is in Jiwaka, one of PNG’s newest province.

The visit focuses on strengthening health systems, supporting frontline workers, and sustaining immunization efforts. Jiwaka achieved an outstanding 99.3% coverage during the current polio outbreak.

“Local leadership is essential to the success of our health interventions,” says Dr Piukala. His visit reinforces WHO’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with provincial teams to protect every child.

Read more: https://www.who.int/papuanewguinea/news/detail/03-09-2025-who-regional-director-visits-jiwaka-to-support-school-based-vaccinations-and-strengthen-health-partnerships

02/09/2025

Finance Managers and Officers from Provincial Health Authorities across Papua New Guinea came together in Port Moresby for a two-day (1 -2 September) training workshop focused on fund and grant management.

The Direct Financial Cooperation / Fund Transfer Management Training, jointly organized by the National Department of Health (NDOH), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed to strengthen financial management skills and promote greater accountability in the implementation of health programs.

Through hands-on exercises, short lectures, and interactive discussions, participants explored practical solutions to common challenges in fund management at the provincial level.

This initiative reflects a continued commitment to building capacity and supporting the effective delivery of health programs across the country.

02/09/2025

WHO Regional Director Visits Western Highlands to Support Polio Response.

Dr Saia Mau Piukala’s visit to Western Highlands comes at a crucial time as Papua New Guinea rolls out a nationwide polio vaccination campaign. From provincial-level engagements to community outreach, the visit highlights the power of leadership, trust, and teamwork in protecting every child.

“I am here to listen, to learn, and to reaffirm WHO’s commitment to supporting communities across the country.” said Dr Piukala.

Read the full story here:https://www.who.int/papuanewguinea/news/detail/02-09-2025-who-regional-director-visits-western-highlands-to-support-polio-response

01/09/2025

At the 59th Annual Medical Symposium in Port Moresby, WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala called for unified action to end the polio outbreak and strengthen health security through the One Health approach.

In his keynote address, titled “One Health, One World: The Regional and Global Perspective,” Dr Piukala emphasized that the polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for unified, well-resourced action to safeguard health security.

Read more here: https://www.who.int/papuanewguinea/news/detail/01-09-2025-who-regional-director-calls-for-unified-action-on-polio-and-one-health-at-png-medical-symposium

29/08/2025

For the first time in Papua New Guinea — and the Western Pacific Region — WHO has trained the PNG Emergency Medical Team in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

This milestone initiative equips first responders to care not just for physical injuries, but also the emotional and psychological wellbeing of communities affected by disasters and emergencies.

📖 Read the full story:https://www.who.int/papuanewguinea/news/detail/15-08-2025-a-milestone-for-mental-health-amid-emergencies--who-trains-first-responders-in-png

29/08/2025

This week, six staff from the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) received hands-on training from Ms. Bridget Fraser of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) in Australia, with support from WHO.

The training focuses on Measles and Rubella PCR testing, a powerful tool that helps detect diseases rapidly and accurately. Beyond measles and rubella, this technique can also be used for other health threats such as influenza and mpox—strengthening PNG’s preparedness for outbreaks.

By equipping our laboratory professionals with these skills, PNG is taking another step toward quicker diagnosis, faster responses, and safer communities.

28/08/2025

At Todays Press Conference, WHO joined the National Department of Health and UNICEF to confirm the first human case of polio-related paralysis in Papua New Guinea since the outbreak.

WHO OIC Dr Challa Rude said "Let me be clear: polio is preventable. The vaccines are safe, effective, and free. But we must act together - with urgency and unity".

This case marks a shift from environmental detection to human transmission, and enforces the urgency of the ongoing nationwide immunization campaign to stop the spread, and end polio once and for all.

Read more:

The National Department of Health (NDoH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, has confirmed the first human case of paralytic poliomyelitis (cVDPV2) in Papua New Guinea. The case involves a 4-year-old unvaccinated boy from Lae, Morobe Province, who developed acute...

12/08/2025

Strengthening Medicines Regulation in PNG!

Today, WHO joined stakeholders in Port Moresby for a key workshop reviewing the Draft Medicines Bill and aligning the CAPA Action Plan with the Institutional Development Plan (IDP). This marks a major step toward ensuring access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines for all Papua New Guineans.

Read the full story here: https://www.who.int/papuanewguinea/news/detail/12-08-2025-papua-new-guinea-advances-medicines-regulatory-reform-with-technical-review-workshop

11/08/2025

Today at New Erima Primary School in Port Moresby, WHO joined the Government of Papua New Guinea and partners to launch the national polio immunization campaign.

Partners met with students, spoke about the importance of vaccination, and witnessed an on-site immunization activity—highlighting the campaign’s goal to protect every child from polio and other preventable diseases.

“This moment represents more than just a public health initiative—it is a bold step forward in our shared mission to secure the health and future of PNG's youngest generation.” said WHO Officer in charge Dr Masahiro Zakoji.

Read more here: https://www.who.int/papuanewguinea/news/detail/11-08-2025-papua-new-guinea-launches-national-polio-immunization-campaign-to-protect-every-child