AGP Executive Report

Maternal health training: PNG Fulbright scholar Beverly Hunney has returned home after completing a Master of Public Health in the US, building skills to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths in rural communities. Cancer prevention focus: Health authorities are urging stronger awareness on oral and esophageal cancer risks and prevention in PNG. Water and health systems: PNG is expanding drinking-water networks with EIB Global financing, while NCDPHA and WaterAid signed an agreement to boost maternal WASH services. Health governance: Internal audit capacity is being strengthened across provincial health authorities, with training aimed at making sure health funds reach frontline services. Nutrition in early learning: Buk bilong Pikinini launched a parents’ nutrition awareness programme in Lae to tackle malnutrition and stunting, linking better food and hygiene to learning. Infrastructure and service delivery: Parliament heard concerns about budget execution gaps, even as major infrastructure spending continues. Disaster and health risk: A 7.8 earthquake and tsunami warnings hit the southern Philippines, with tsunami alerts also reaching Papua New Guinea; PNG also faces local health concerns after floating volcanic pumice inundated Manus coastal villages. Community welfare: RPNGC welfare officers completed rural outreach across Central and Gulf, including guidance on health insurance and support services for police families.

Philippines Earthquake & Tsunami Risk: A powerful 7.8 quake struck southern Mindanao, killing at least 4 and injuring 200+ as tsunami waves hit nearby coasts; warnings were issued across the region including Papua New Guinea, urging coastal communities to move to higher ground. Maternal Health Training Returns Home: PNG Fulbright scholar Beverly Hunney has returned after a Master of Public Health in the US, bringing skills to cut preventable maternal and child deaths in rural settings. Water & Health Infrastructure: PNG is set to expand drinking-water networks with major EIB Global and EU support, aiming to reach hundreds of thousands with safer, more reliable water. Local Hospital Upgrade: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restored X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel for patients. Health System Accountability: PNG health authorities are strengthening internal audit capacity across provincial health authorities to improve transparency and ensure funds reach frontline services. Nutrition for Early Learners: A Lae parents’ nutrition awareness programme is tackling malnutrition and stunting by teaching families what to feed children and basic hygiene. Marine Conservation: PNG plans a Western Manus Marine Protected Area with a total fishing ban to protect biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods.

Earthquake & Tsunami Response: A 7.8 quake struck off Sarangani, southern Philippines, killing at least 15 and injuring 100+ as tsunami warnings were issued across the region, including Papua New Guinea, urging coastal communities to move to higher ground. Maternal Health Skills Boost: PNG Fulbright scholar Beverly Hunney returned home after an MPH training focused on reducing preventable maternal and child deaths in rural settings, including training community responders to spot obstetric emergencies early. Nutrition for Early Learning: Buk bilong Pikinini launched a parents’ nutrition awareness programme in Lae with partners to tackle malnutrition and stunting, teaching families what foods and hygiene practices support children’s growth and learning. Health System Accountability: PNG is strengthening internal audit capacity across provincial health authorities with a four-day training supported by PwC, Australia/New Zealand and Gavi, aiming to improve controls so health funds reach frontline services. Water & Health Access: EIB Global and the EU backed a major drinking-water expansion plan to add potable water connections for about 400,000 people, including Port Moresby, addressing a key driver of illness. Hospital Service Upgrade: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands restored X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel burdens for rural patients.

Maternal WaSH for NCD: NCDPHA has signed Terms of Reference with WaterAid PNG to roll out “WaSH Improvement for Maternal Health,” aiming to operationalise WaSH care guidelines and strengthen governance across the province. Hospital diagnostics restored: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restarted X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel for patients needing imaging. Health system accountability: A four-day internal audit training in Port Moresby brought together audit officers from 21 Provincial Health Authorities and Bougainville to strengthen risk-based financial oversight so funding reaches frontline care. Cancer prevention push: PNG continues to face a growing oral and esophageal cancer burden, with renewed calls for earlier care-seeking and community health worker training to spot suspicious lesions. Safe water financing: EIB Global and the EU are backing a major drinking-water expansion with €16.4m EU support plus a €25m loan, targeting potable water for an extra 400,000 people. Life-saving return: Baby Sawong Kevin has returned home to PNG after complex conjoined-twin separation surgery and months of specialist care in Australia.

Health Finance & Oversight: Papua New Guinea is boosting internal audit skills across all 21 Provincial Health Authorities, with a four-day Port Moresby training (PwC with the National Department of Health) supported by Australia, New Zealand and Gavi, aiming to strengthen controls so funding reaches frontline services. Safe Water Push: PNG is set to expand drinking-water networks with €25m EIB Global financing plus EU support, targeting potable water for an extra 400,000 people and improved reliability in towns and Port Moresby. Cancer Warnings: Health alerts highlight rising oral and esophageal cancer risks, stressing early care for persistent symptoms and pointing to tobacco, betel nut, alcohol and poor oral hygiene as key drivers. Maternal WaSH: NCDPHA has signed with WaterAid to roll out WaSH improvements for maternal health, focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene governance in public facilities. District Care Upgrade: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restored X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel for patients. Baby Sawong Returns: Conjoined twin baby Sawong Kevin came home to PNG after six months of life-saving treatment in Australia, with his family and clinicians marking a major recovery milestone. Marine Protection: PNG announced a Western Manus Marine Protected Area with a total fishing ban over about 200,000 km², moving toward legal protection as part of a Melanesian Ocean Corridor.

Maternal WaSH Partnership: NCDPHA has signed Terms of Reference with WaterAid PNG to roll out “WaSH Improvement for Maternal Health” across the National Capital District, aiming to operationalise WaSH care guidelines and strengthen governance for safer maternity services. Cancer Warnings: Health-focused public alerts highlight rising oral and esophageal cancer risks in PNG, stressing early care for persistent swallowing trouble or mouth lesions and pointing to local risk factors like tobacco, betel nut, alcohol, and poor oral hygiene. Hospital Services Restored: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restored X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel burdens for remote communities. Water Access Funding: EIB Global and the EU back a major drinking-water expansion in PNG with €25m concessional financing plus EU support, targeting potable water for an extra 400,000 people and improved reliability in towns and Port Moresby. Marine Protection Move: PNG announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area—over 200,000 km²—with a total fishing ban as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, with legal steps next. Life-Saving Return Home: Baby Sawong Kevin has returned to PNG after six months of specialist care in Australia following conjoined twin separation and complications. EU Seafood Compliance: Pacific fisheries officials in Suva trained on new EU freezer-vessel rules that could affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific vessels, with tighter temperature requirements to prevent histamine-related illness.

Marine Protection: Papua New Guinea has announced a Western Manus Marine Protected Area covering about 200,000 km², with a total fishing ban, as part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves—aimed at protecting biodiversity while still supporting local food and income. Cancer Warnings: Health coverage highlights rising oral and esophageal cancer risks in PNG, stressing early signs (like swallowing trouble or sores that don’t heal) and prevention factors including tobacco, betel nut, alcohol, and poor oral hygiene. Maternal WaSH: NCDPHA has signed terms with WaterAid to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for maternal health services across the National Capital District. Hospital Access: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restored X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel for patients. Water Funding: EIB Global and the EU-backed financing package will expand drinking-water networks, targeting an additional 400,000 people. Health in the Spotlight: Baby Sawong returns home after life-saving conjoined twin surgery and months of specialist care in Australia. Policy Clarity: The health minister clarified Port Moresby General Hospital’s Level Six national referral status under PNG’s six-level health facility standards.

Life-saving return: Baby Sawong Kevin has returned to Papua New Guinea after six months of specialist care in Australia following conjoined-twin separation surgery, with officials and partners thanking PNG and Australian clinicians, donors, and community support. Accountability in health funding: A civic-minded critic says the Health Minister’s Parliament response on support for Modilon General Hospital was “lame” and calls for real accountability so money reaches hospitals. District diagnostics restored: Ialibu District Hospital in Southern Highlands has restarted X-ray services after nearly eight years, reducing delays and travel for patients. Cancer prevention alerts: Health messaging highlights rising esophageal cancer risk in PNG and urges people to seek care for swallowing problems or non-healing mouth lesions within weeks. Maternal WaSH push: NCDPHA and WaterAid signed terms of reference to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for maternal health services across the National Capital District. System clarity: The Health Minister clarified Port Moresby General Hospital is now classified as a Level Six National Referral Hospital under PNG’s 2021 standards. Education-health link: Paradise Foods’ Smart Start continues supporting schools with grants tied to nutrition and child development. Water access support: Kina Bank donated a 5,000-litre water tank to Lakira Primary School to ease daily water shortages for students and teachers. Regional health diplomacy: PNG’s Community Development Minister attended the Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders meeting in Suva, focusing on leadership, women’s health, and gender-based violence prevention.

Cancer Care & Prevention: PNG is sounding alarms on mouth and esophageal cancers, with warnings about late detection and a severe shortage of ENT specialists—only 13 for a population of about 10.18 million—pushing calls for faster diagnosis and more trained staff. Maternal Health WaSH: NCDPHA has signed terms of reference with WaterAid PNG to strengthen WaSH in maternal health services across NCD, aiming to turn hygiene and sanitation guidelines into on-the-ground improvements. Hospital Standards: Health Minister Elias Kapavore clarified Port Moresby General Hospital is now classified as a Level Six National Referral Hospital under PNG’s six-level system, to reduce confusion in referral pathways. Life-Saving Surgery Return: Baby Sawong Kevin has returned home after six months in Australia following complex conjoined twin surgery, with officials and partners highlighting the international care that saved his life. Water Access Funding: EIB Global and EU support is backing PNG drinking-water network expansion, including funding to reach hundreds of thousands of people. Community Health Support: A district administration provided medical financial aid to former PNG Kumul legend Darius Haili to help cover referral costs. Nutrition in Schools: Paradise Foods’ Smart Start School Promotion continues to fund school grants, including nutrition-linked support for children’s development.

Cancer Warnings: PNG is sounding alarms on esophageal and oral cavity cancers, highlighting how late detection and limited specialist access drive high deaths, with betel nut, tobacco, alcohol and poor oral hygiene flagged as key risks and calls for people to seek care for swallowing trouble or mouth sores that don’t heal within two weeks. Specialist Shortage: A free check at Port Moresby General Hospital warns PNG has only 13 ENT specialists for a population of about 10.18 million—far below the global benchmark—fueling long waits for head and neck cancer treatment. Maternal Health & Water: NCDPHA signed a WaterAid ToR to strengthen WaSH for maternal health, while EIB Global and the EU backed major drinking-water network expansion to add potable water access for 400,000 people and cut losses in Port Moresby. Hospital Pressure Relief: NCDPHA says it’s reducing pressure at PMGH labour ward so fewer mothers deliver on floors, shifting capacity to Gerehu, Six-Mile Polyclinic and other nearby services. Health System Clarity: Health Minister Elias Kapavore clarified PMGH is now classified as a Level Six National Referral Hospital under PNG’s six-level standards. Child Health Story: Baby Sawong returned home after six months in Australia following complex conjoined twin separation surgery and treatment for a serious infection.

Cervical cancer push: Westpac WOW Awards named Dr Pamela Toliman (PNGIMR) for decades of work on cervical cancer prevention, including rapid HPV point-of-care testing for women far from clinics. Maternal WaSH upgrade: NCDPHA signed Terms of Reference with WaterAid PNG to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services for maternal health across the National Capital District. PMGH classification clarified: Health Minister Elias Kapavore told Parliament Port Moresby General Hospital is now a Level Six National Referral Hospital under PNG’s six-level health facility standards. Maternity crisis fixes: NCDPHA says it’s tackling overcrowding and floor births by diverting patients to Gerehu, Six-Mile Polyclinic and Metoreia, while new birthing capacity is planned. ENT specialist shortage: PNG faces a sharp gap in ear, nose and throat specialists as mouth cancer cases rise, with only 13 ENT doctors for over 10 million people. Water security funding: EIB Global and the EU backed a $25m concessional loan to expand drinking-water networks, aiming to add potable water access for 400,000 people and cut losses in Port Moresby. Malaria progress: PNG reported malaria deaths dropping dramatically, helped by expanded rapid testing and treatment programs. Family planning partnership: Strengthening family planning partnerships was highlighted as a key step toward sustainable reproductive health. Conjoined twin returns: Baby Sawong returned home after complex separation surgery in Australia, following a life-threatening fungal blood infection. System fixes call: A new opinion piece urges PNG to stop making plans and start fixing health systems. Oral cancer warning: A public health alert flags oral cavity cancer as a growing “time-bomb,” linked to local risk factors.

Mouth cancer crisis: PNG faces a deadly surge in oral cavity cancer, but only 13 ENT specialists serve a population of about 10.18 million—far below the global benchmark—prompting calls for more trained staff and faster access to surgery. Maternity pressure relief: The National Capital District Provincial Health Authority says it’s tackling overcrowding at Port Moresby General Hospital by diverting patients to Gerehu, Six-Mile Polyclinic and Metoreia, while new birthing capacity at Gerehu is nearing completion. Water security boost: EIB Global and the EU have backed a major drinking-water expansion with a $25m concessional loan (plus EU grants/assistance) to add reliable potable water for about 400,000 people and cut losses in Port Moresby. Malaria progress: PNG’s malaria deaths have fallen sharply, with expanded rapid testing and Artemisinin Combination Therapies credited for the drop. Governors ending malaria: PNG launched the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition, putting provincial leaders in charge of malaria control to drive elimination by 2035. Rural health support: Kina Bank donated a 5,000-litre water tank to Lakira Primary School to ease daily water shortages affecting children’s wellbeing. Community health access: PMGH held a free check for media workers, including mental health, dental and ENT screening, with doctors warning strokes are being admitted daily.

Maternity Pressure Relief: NCD Provincial Health Authority says it’s tackling overcrowding at Port Moresby General Hospital labour ward by diverting patients to Metoreai Urban Clinic, Six-Mile Polyclinic and Gerehu, while new birthing capacity at Gerehu and Moresby South Hospital comes online. Cancer Care Crunch: PNG faces a sharp shortage of ENT specialists as mouth cancer surges, with only 13 specialists for a population of about 10 million—far below global ratios. Oral Cancer Warning: Public health alert highlights oral cavity cancer as a growing “time-bomb,” tied to repeated injury and risk factors like betel nut chewing. Water Access Boost: EIB Global and the EU are funding PNG drinking-water network expansion, targeting an extra 400,000 people with new connections and reduced water losses in Port Moresby. Malaria Gains: PNG reports malaria deaths have fallen dramatically, driven by expanded rapid testing and Artemisinin Combination Therapies, alongside net and medicine distribution. Governance for Services: Senior provincial monitoring officers have signed contracts under the Reset@50 agenda to strengthen accountability and service delivery. Disability-Inclusive Planning: Morobe disability groups are helping shape safer, more accessible hospital refurbishment plans at Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital.

Hospital Pressure Points: Port Moresby General Hospital is under strain from underfunding and weak management, with clinicians reporting equipment failures, supply shortages and procurement delays that block care and risk staff burnout. Cancer Care Gap: PNG’s mouth cancer surge is colliding with a severe ENT specialist shortage—only 13 ENT doctors for over 10 million people—pushing long waits and highlighting the need for more trained specialists and resources. Maternity Relief in NCD: NCD Provincial Health Authority is tackling overcrowding by shifting births away from PMGH labour ward, using Gerehu, Six-Mile and Metoreai services while new birthing capacity comes online. Water for Health: EIB Global and the EU are funding PNG drinking-water network expansion, targeting an extra 400,000 people with new connections and reduced Port Moresby water losses. Governance for Care: Internal audit training for provincial health authorities aims to improve compliance and financial accountability. Malaria Momentum: PNG reports a major drop in malaria deaths, driven by expanded testing and treatment. Oral Cancer Focus: A public health alert highlights oral cavity cancer as a growing PNG “time-bomb,” linked to repeated injury and risk habits.

Maternity Relief in NCD: Port Moresby’s health authority is tackling overcrowding at PMGH labour ward by diverting patients to Metoreia Urban Clinic, Six-Mile Polyclinic and Gerehu, while new birthing capacity at Gerehu and other expansions aim to stop mothers delivering on hospital floors. Water for Public Health: EIB Global and the EU are funding a K109.4m Port Moresby drinking-water network upgrade to add potable water access for 400,000 more people and cut water losses. Malaria Progress: PNG reports a sharp fall in malaria deaths, with prevention, expanded rapid testing and Artemesinin Combination Therapies driving fatalities down to about 1 per 100,000. Provincial TB Push: MPs and the PNG TB caucus back a TB advocacy media strategy after high-level parliamentary training, with more than 50 MPs signing on. Governance for Health: Internal audit training for provincial health authorities is underway to strengthen reporting, compliance and financial accountability. Rural Connectivity for Care: The US plans US$30m for satellite internet to connect remote schools, rural health facilities and disaster centres. One-Day Tobacco Ban (Regional): Nauru introduces an annual tobacco sale and import ban under a new law to curb non-communicable disease risk.

Malaria Fight: PNG has launched the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition, with provincial leaders taking the lead to push malaria elimination by 2035, covering nine high-burden provinces that make up about 86% of PNG’s malaria burden. TB Advocacy: PNG’s Special Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters and the Parliamentary TB Caucus rolled out a TB Advocacy Media Strategy after high-level training, with more than 50 MPs signing a declaration backing stronger action against TB. Hospital Capacity: Port Moresby General Hospital hosted a free health screening for media workers, including vital checks and referrals, while a separate report highlights Jayapura Central General Hospital’s push to become a Western Pacific referral centre through upgraded services and staffing. Access to Care in Rural Areas: Rugby star Justin Olam delivered K30,000 in medical supplies to Monono Sub-Health Centre and Wangoi Health Centre in Chuave, easing medicine shortages for mothers and children. Health System Inclusion: Morobe disability leaders helped shape refurbishment plans for Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital’s former emergency building, focusing on safer, more accessible design for wheelchair users and people with artificial limbs. Digital Health Support: The US announced US$30 million for satellite internet across PNG, targeting remote schools, rural health facilities and disaster centres to improve access to services. Regional Health Links: A Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, completed a medical mission that included Papua New Guinea, providing consultations, exams, and surgeries. Snakebite Preparedness: A Danish scientist discussed modern antivenom research and why snakebite remains a neglected tropical disease with high death and disability rates.