http://www.who.int/papuanewguinea

WHO Papua New Guinea, AOPI center Waigani, Port Moresby (2026)

06/04/2026

🌍 Together for Science | World Health Day 2026

Science powers health — for people, animals, and our planet. From vaccines to clean water and disease prevention, science continues to save lives and shape a healthier future for all.

Today World Health Day, we call on everyone to
Ask questions. Share knowledge. Trust evidence.

🔬 Ask a health question that matters to you
📢 Share how science helps solve it
🤝 Join the conversation

Because when we stand with science, we stand for better health, stronger communities, and a healthier planet.

31/03/2026

📍 Vaccine‑Preventable Disease Surveillance Training Underway in Mount Hagen
Strengthening disease surveillance where it matters most—at the frontlines.

The Vaccine‑Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance Training has officially kicked off in Mount Hagen, bringing together Provincial Disease Control Officers (PDCOs) and surveillance officers from the Highlands and Momase regions from 30 March to 1 April 2026.

Building on the momentum of a successful training held in Port Moresby just two weeks ago for the Southern and New Guinea Islands regions, this session focuses on sharpening skills in detecting Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and other priority vaccine‑preventable diseases.

Opening the training, WHO Acting Representative Dr. Josaia Tiko reaffirmed the strong partnership between the National Department of Health (NDoH) and WHO, highlighting surveillance as a critical pillar of the ongoing polio outbreak response and a cornerstone for protecting communities.

🗣️ “Building strong AFP and VPD surveillance capacity at the provincial level is essential for early detection, timely response, and sustaining polio eradication gains in Papua New Guinea,” said Dr. Tiko.

Speaking on behalf of NDoH, Mr. Barry Ropa, Manager – Health Security and Surveillance Branch, commended the efforts of Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) while underscoring the need to strengthen surveillance quality.

🗣️ “The progress made by PHAs in AFP surveillance in 2025 is commendable. However, sustaining polio eradication requires stronger surveillance quality—especially timely case detection, investigation, and follow‑up,” Mr. Ropa noted.

The training emphasizes practical, hands‑on skills in AFP, Acute Fever and Rash (AFR), and other VPD surveillance—equipping provincial and district teams to detect, investigate, and respond promptly and effectively, helping keep communities safe and polio‑free ✅

26/03/2026

Strengthening the Fight Against TB in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬

A two-day WHO-organized Drug-Resistant TB and TB Preventive Treatment Workshop is currently underway at Lamana Hotel, bringing together 89 grassroots healthcare workers from six provinces.

With funding support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), WHO continues to strengthen the fight against tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea.

This workshop is equipping participants with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills needed to strengthen TB prevention and improve the management of drug-resistant TB within their communities.

By empowering frontline health workers, we are strengthening local capacity and accelerating progress toward ending TB in Papua New Guinea.

Together, we can reduce transmission, improve patient outcomes, and protect communities.

24/03/2026

National Captial District (NCD) Marks World TB Day with Strong Commitment to End Tuberculosis

Today marked World TB Day 2026 with a commemoration at Gerehu General Hospital. Despite the rain, the event brought together health leaders, health partners, development agencies, and communities under this year’s theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Countries, Powered by People.”

The event highlighted the country’s continued commitment to tackling tuberculosis through strong leadership, community engagement, and partnerships. Speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening prevention, improving early detection, expanding treatment access, and addressing the social factors that contribute to TB.

“Ending TB in Papua New Guinea is possible, but it requires sustained country leadership, people-centred services and a strong health system that reaches communities wherever they live,” said Dr Josaia Tiko, WHO Acting Representative to Papua New Guinea. “WHO remains committed to supporting Papua New Guinea to strengthen early detection, improve treatment outcomes, address drug-resistant TB, and integrate TB services within primary health care and universal health coverage efforts.”

Partners reaffirmed their support for Papua New Guinea’s national TB response, underscoring the need for sustained collaboration to accelerate progress toward ending TB. The commemoration also featured community voices and discussions on how collective action can help reduce stigma and improve health outcomes.

The event concluded with the official launch of key TB initiatives — the NCD SSI (Systematic Screening Initiative) — aimed at strengthening early detection and improving access to care for communities most affected by TB.

Together, Papua New Guinea continues to move forward — united in the fight to end tuberculosis and protect the health of its people.

23/03/2026

🇵🇬 Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Papua New Guinea, Powered by Its People

Papua New Guinea is sending a clear message this World TB Day — political leaders, health workers, and communities are joining hands to defeat tuberculosis. WHO stands firmly beside them.

On 24 March 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) Papua New Guinea Country Office joins partners and communities across the country to mark this year’s global theme:
“Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Countries, Powered by People.”

In PNG, these are not just words — they reflect real action.

Just days earlier, on 19 March 2026, a high-level TB advocacy event at the National Parliament in Port Moresby brought together the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, Provincial Governors, the , and the

This strong show of leadership sends a clear signal: TB is not just a health issue — it is a national priority.

WHO contributed technical insights, emphasizing:
• The need to increase domestic investment in TB
• The importance of adopting faster diagnostics and shorter treatment regimens
• The critical role of parliamentary leadership and sustained funding

🗣️ “When leaders come together to address TB, it sends a powerful message — this fight belongs to everyone.”

TB remains one of Papua New Guinea’s most pressing public health challenges. The country is among the top 30 globally for TB burden, with rising cases and increasing drug-resistant TB.

But despite these challenges, PNG is demonstrating strong leadership and real progress.
✔️ Population-wide screening using mobile digital X-ray technology
✔️ Rollout of WHO-recommended shorter TB treatments (BPaL/M and BEAT)
✔️ Strong government commitment and partnerships across sectors

This World TB Day 2026, WHO calls on everyone — leaders, partners, health workers, and communities — to take action:
• Strengthen leadership and fully fund the National TB Strategic Plan
• Expand access to diagnosis, especially in rural areas
• Scale up new treatment regimens nationwide
• Invest in community health workers
• Integrate TB and HIV services
• Tackle stigma through community engagement

👉 TB is preventable. TB is curable. Together, we can end TB.

23/03/2026

Yes — if we transform care, decentralize services, and act now.
Yes! We can

23/03/2026

TB is preventable. TB is curable.
Early testing and treatment save lives.

21/03/2026

WHO Papua New Guinea extends its deepest gratitude to the Government of Australia for its continued commitment to the health and future of our children.

With a newly announced additional investment of AUD 2 million, Australia’s total contribution to the fight against the recent polio outbreak now reaches AUD 7 million. This vital funding, delivered through WHO, will:
💉 Deliver life-saving polio vaccines to children under five in highest-risk provinces.
🔍 Strengthen vaccine-preventable disease surveillance to detect and prevent future outbreaks.
🏥 Support the strengthening of routine immunization to ensure consistent, long-term protection for every child across the country.

Our teams are working tirelessly to prepare for Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) Round 3, focusing on the four highest-risk provinces: NCD, Central, Morobe, and Enga. Preparations are already well underway, including:

• Developing comprehensive resource plans.
• Updating SIA operational guidelines.
• Planning intensive training to strengthen local capacity.

While we gear up for this targeted response, we continue to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and routine immunization efforts throughout the rest of the country.

This partnership builds on the incredible success of 2025, where an estimated 2.3 million children received polio vaccines, thanks to the support of our partners, including the Australian Government.

As Minister for International Development Dr. Anne Aly said, “Every child deserves the protection that vaccination provides.”

Thank you, Australia, for standing with Papua New Guinea to ensure a healthier, more resilient region for all.

20/03/2026

🌍 Ready to Make an Impact in Public Health?

The World Health Organization (WHO) Papua New Guinea Country Office is looking for a motivated professional to join our team and help strengthen health systems across the country.

Position:
Technical Officer (AMR, Health Systems and Evidence) (NO-C)
📍 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
📄 Fixed-term (1 year) | Full-time

In this role, you will:
• Support stronger health information systems, research, and M&E frameworks
• Promote the use of data, digital health, and innovation for better decision-making
• Provide technical support on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health systems strengthening
• Work closely with government and partners to implement impactful health programmes
• Contribute to building more equitable and resilient health systems

Why join WHO PNG?
• Be part of meaningful work that improves lives and communities
• Collaborate with dedicated professionals across sectors
• Gain valuable experience in public health systems and policy
• Contribute to real, lasting change in Papua New Guinea

Interested?
Take the next step in your career and apply through the WHO Careers Portal.
https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2600945&tz=GMT%2B08%3A00&tzname=Asia%2FManila

20/03/2026

🇵🇬 Turning Political Commitment into Action: PNG’s High-Level Push to End TB

The World Health Organization (WHO) actively participated in a high-level TB advocacy event held on 19 March 2026 at the State Function Room of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea.

The event brought together Prime Minister James Marape, Members of Parliament, Provincial Governors, the and the including its Vice President Mr. Warren Entsch, to strengthen political commitment towards ending TB.

WHO contributed to the panel discussion, providing technical insights on sustaining TB and HIV financing in the context of global economic challenges, and emphasized the importance of:
✔ Increased domestic investment
✔ Adoption of WHO-recommended innovations
✔ Strong parliamentary leadership

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea in accelerating progress towards national and global TB targets.

11/03/2026

📍 Port Moresby | 11–13 March 2026
🛡️ Strengthening Disease Surveillance to Protect Communities 🇵🇬

The Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance Training for Southern and New Guinea Island Provinces officially opened today in Port Moresby.

Led by WHO in collaboration with the National Department of Health (NDoH), the training brings together provincial and district surveillance officers, clinicians, and partners to strengthen frontline disease detection and response across Papua New Guinea.

🔍 The training focuses on strengthening:
✅ Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance for polio
✅ Acute Febrile Rash (AFR) surveillance for measles
✅ Other priority VPD surveillance systems

These efforts are critical to improving early detection, timely reporting, and rapid response to vaccine preventable diseases nationwide.

💬 In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary for Health (Public Health), Mr. Ken Wai, emphasized that “strong surveillance is the foundation of disease prevention and protecting communities.”

🌍 Delivering remarks on behalf of the Acting WHO Representative, Dr. Challa Ruda, Coordinator for Integrated Health Service Delivery, commended NDoH and Provincial Health Authorities for the significant gains in AFP surveillance sensitivity achieved in 2025, and stressed the importance of sustaining momentum—particularly by strengthening AFP and AFR surveillance—to ensure timely detection and rapid response to any potential outbreaks.

Together, we continue building a stronger, more resilient surveillance system to keep communities across PNG safe and healthy. 💙

09/03/2026

Beyond participation: Communities driving primary health care in West New Britain.

Since October 2024, WHO through has been working closely with the West New Britain Provincial Health Authority to strengthen primary health care through a whole-of-system approach—linking governance, service delivery, and community engagement.

What started as technical support has grown into a powerful community movement. During the latest mission (2–6 March 2026), communities mapped their own health challenges, traced real patient journeys, and developed local action plans based on the principle “Nothing about us without us.”

The initiative has expanded from three to five demonstration sites—Banaule, Buvussi, Valoka, Malalia, and Silanga—with visible changes already underway, including stronger village health committees, expanded partnership, and improved water and sanitation systems.

Primary health care works best when communities lead the way.

WHO Papua New Guinea

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