AGP Executive Report

Snakebite care: Papua New Guinea and Australia renewed efforts to cut snakebite deaths by moving antivenom supply and management into PNG’s national health system, with antivenom support continuing under an agreement until April 2027 and expanded access already reaching 70+ facilities across 15 provinces. Jobs and health gaps: A World Bank report says PNG’s economy is growing fast, but formal jobs are shrinking and most people remain in low-productivity work, while child stunting and low literacy point to urgent needs for better education and health. WASH for healthier schools: In Wau-Waria, a new community water supply and a five-year WASH program are being rolled out with partners including ADRA PNG, aiming to improve health and school infrastructure. Food safety push: Port Moresby North-East food business owners were urged to treat food safety as everyone’s responsibility at an NCDC workshop led with NDoH oversight. Remote health access by air: Australia and Adventist Aviation Services launched a partnership to keep medical evacuations and essential supplies moving to isolated PNG communities. Health system support: Operation Open Heart Foundation and Air Niugini formalised a long-running partnership to support children with heart disease through provincial screening and referrals to Port Moresby. Community health workforce: National Volunteer Service pre-service orientation trained 14 volunteers and supervisors in health and education roles, with recruitment efforts targeting service gaps in Enga. Connectivity for learning and services: Tubusereia Junior High School gained high-speed internet via Starlink, with plans to support schools and health centres in rural areas.

Snakebite care push: Papua New Guinea and Australia reaffirmed plans to cut snakebite deaths by moving antivenom supply and management into PNG’s national health system, with antivenom support continuing under a MoA until April 2027 and recent work reaching 70+ facilities across 15 provinces. Rural health by air: Australia launched a new partnership with Adventist Aviation Services to keep aircraft operating for medical evacuations and delivery of supplies to remote PNG communities, tackling fuel and airstrip challenges. Cardiac care partnership: Operation Open Heart Foundation and Air Niugini formalised a strengthened MOU to support children’s heart screening and referrals to Port Moresby General Hospital, including travel for patients and clinicians. Conjoined twins return: Baby Sawong Kevin Mitian came home to Port Moresby after six months in Australia for separation surgery, marking a major milestone for specialist care and coordinated evacuation. WASH and school support: A Wau-Waria district water and WASH rollout added a new community water supply and school fencing, while Tubusereia Junior High School gained safe, filtered high-speed internet via Starlink to support learning and school operations. Food safety focus: NCDC ran a food safety workshop in Port Moresby urging shared responsibility between regulators and food businesses to protect public health. Health workforce training: National Volunteer Service inducted health volunteers and supervisors in Lae to strengthen community health delivery, with further recruitment efforts planned for Enga. Nutrition and food systems research: ACIAR backed new agricultural research investments in PNG aimed at improving food security and nutrition outcomes. El Niño preparedness: Hela established a disaster committee and began awareness and water planning as 2026–2027 El Niño conditions start. Cancer prevention drive: PNG Cancer Foundation held a fitness-focused fundraiser promoting active living and healthier diets to reduce cancer risk factors.

Rural Connectivity for Learning: Tubusereia Junior High School in Central Province has its first high-speed internet via a Starlink connection, backed by Lightspeed PNG and Pasivika Konnect, with filtered access and a monthly data allowance to support teaching and school administration. WASH for Health and Schools: In Wau-Waria, Pinetop residents welcomed a new community water supply plus fencing for Pinetop Primary School and a five-year WASH program to improve health, education and living standards. Child Heart Care Partnership: Operation Open Heart Foundation and Air Niugini formalised a strengthened MOU to keep provincial cardiac screening moving and to fly children and guardians to Port Moresby for surgery. Food Safety Push in Port Moresby: NCDC ran a food safety workshop urging shared responsibility between the National Department of Health, food businesses and regulators to reduce public health risks. Remote Health by Air: Australia and Adventist Aviation Services launched a partnership to keep medical evacuations and essential supplies reaching PNG’s isolated communities. Cancer and Earlier Care: Port Moresby General Hospital reported cancer as the top cause of inpatient mortality, with breast, cervical and head/neck cancers highlighted alongside concerns about late presentation. El Niño Preparedness in Hela: Hela’s disaster committee was activated to run public awareness and planning for the 2026–2027 El Niño, including water source mapping and contingency measures. Bird Flu Update (Regional): Australia confirmed a fifth migratory bird case of bird flu, with officials urging calm as there’s no sign of spread to poultry or mass wildlife deaths. Kuru and Health Lessons from Research: New research argues cannibalism taboos likely evolved because of infection risks, pointing to kuru among PNG’s Fore people as a key example. Infrastructure for Specialist Care: Work continues on the Koroba Level 4 District Hospital in Hela, a K65 million project aimed at bringing specialist services closer to remote communities.

Conjoined-Twin Return: Baby Sawong Kevin Mitian came home to Port Moresby after six months of specialist care in Australia following separation surgery, marking a major PNG health milestone. Heart Care Partnership: Operation Open Heart Foundation and Air Niugini formalised a new MOU to keep provincial heart screening and child referrals running, including travel for children and guardians to Port Moresby General Hospital. Remote Access Boost: Australia launched a partnership with Adventist Aviation Services to sustain medical evacuations and deliver supplies to PNG’s isolated communities, tackling fuel and airstrip challenges. HIV Testing Expansion: PNG received its first shipment of HIV self-test kits and is rolling out nationwide self-testing across four provinces to widen access to care. Cancer Burden at PMGH: Port Moresby General Hospital reported cancer as the leading cause of inpatient mortality, with many cases presenting late and younger patients increasingly affected. Food Safety Push: NCDC ran a food safety workshop in Port Moresby urging shared responsibility between regulators and food businesses to protect public health. Volunteer Health Workforce: National Volunteer Service completed pre-service orientation for health and education volunteers in Lae and is targeting gaps in Enga province. Nutrition & Resilience Event: PNG UOT will host a 1–3 July conference on transforming food systems for nutrition and climate resilience.

Aviation for health access: Australia has launched a new partnership with Adventist Aviation Services to keep remote PNG communities connected for emergency medical evacuations and delivery of essential supplies, with support aimed at fuel, staffing and maintaining rural airstrips. Food safety push: NCDC ran a workshop in Port Moresby urging food businesses to treat food safety as shared responsibility, with the National Department of Health and its food sanitation oversight role highlighted. Health workforce support: National Volunteer Service (NVS) completed a week-long pre-service orientation for 14 volunteers and supervisors in Morobe, preparing them for health and education roles in communities. Cancer spotlight: Port Moresby General Hospital’s quarterly report says cancer is the leading cause of inpatient mortality, with many patients presenting late; breast, cervical and head-and-neck cancers were flagged. Rural hospital progress: Construction is advancing on the new Level 4 Koroba District Hospital in Hela, a K65 million project backed by Australia, PNG and the Asian Development Bank to bring specialist care closer to remote communities. Nutrition and food systems: PNG University of Technology will host a 1–3 July conference on transforming food systems for nutrition and resilience, bringing together research and government partners. El Niño readiness (health-linked): Hela’s disaster committee has been set up to run public awareness and preparedness actions as El Niño conditions begin, including water source mapping and contingency planning. Bird flu watch: Australia reported a fifth migratory bird case of H5 avian influenza, with authorities stressing no signs of spread to poultry or mass wildlife deaths.

Rural Maternal Health Breakthrough: Pomio District Hospital carried out PNG’s first emergency caesarean section of its kind, saving a mother and twin babies and highlighting the push to strengthen district hospitals. Cancer Burden at PMGH: Port Moresby General Hospital’s first quarterly report says cancer is the top cause of inpatient deaths, with many cases presenting late and breast, cervical and head/neck cancers most common. Volunteer Boost for Health Services: National Volunteer Service inducted 14 volunteers and supervisors in Morobe after a week-long orientation, and is also targeting health volunteer recruitment in Enga to plug service delivery gaps. Remote Care by Air: Australia launched a partnership to keep Adventist Aviation Services flying, supporting medical evacuations and essential supplies to isolated communities. Food Security & Nutrition Focus: ACIAR announced new PNG agricultural research investments to strengthen evidence for resilient food systems and better nutrition outcomes, while PNG UoT set a July symposium on transforming food systems for nutrition and resilience. El Niño Preparedness in Hela: Hela’s disaster committee was formed and directed to run public awareness and water planning ahead of forecast 2026–2027 El Niño impacts. Avian Flu Update (PNG-linked region): Australia confirmed a fifth bird flu case in a migratory seabird, with authorities urging calm and saying there’s no sign of spread to poultry or mass wildlife deaths. Health Promotion & Youth Sport: PNG Cancer Foundation’s fundraiser pushed fitness and healthy eating to reduce cancer risk, while NGCB-backed kickboxing events and training support youth participation and wellbeing. Herbal Medicine Support: Markham DDA funded a science graduate to expand herbal medicine production, with products reportedly tested through PNG medical science labs. Water Access Data: A global map highlights where safe drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring ongoing infrastructure gaps relevant to PNG communities. Deep Sea Mining Radioactivity Warning: An anti-deep sea mining group warned that seabed mining could disturb radioactive material entering the marine food chain, raising concerns for seafood eaters including humans.

Rural maternal care breakthrough: Prime Minister Marape hailed Pomio District Hospital’s first emergency caesarean section for twin babies, saving the mother and showing how stronger district hospitals can cut dangerous referral delays. Cancer risk and late presentation: Port Moresby General Hospital says cancer is the top inpatient killer, with many patients presenting late; the PNG Cancer Foundation also ran a fitness-focused fundraiser urging healthier diets and activity to reduce risk. Hela El Niño preparedness: Hela’s disaster committee has been set up and tasked with province-wide awareness, water mapping, vulnerability checks and contingency planning as El Niño conditions begin. New specialist hospital progress: Construction is advancing on the K65m Koroba Level 4 District Hospital, backed by Australia, PNG and the Asian Development Bank, to bring specialist services closer to remote communities. Cervical cancer prevention push: Western Highlands is expanding LLETZ training for clinicians from multiple provinces to remove precancerous cells earlier. Health services support in the air: Air Niugini renewed its long-running partnership with Operation Open Heart Foundation to keep flying children with heart disease and specialist teams to Port Moresby General Hospital. Water safety in clinics: WaterAid and NCDPHA delivered a WaSH in Healthcare Facilities deep-dive at 9-Mile Urban Clinic, strengthening hygiene and medical waste practices. Bird flu watch: Australia confirmed a fourth H5N1 case in a migratory seabird, with authorities stressing no signs of spread to poultry or wildlife.

Cancer Focus: Port Moresby General Hospital’s first quarterly report says cancer is the leading cause of inpatient deaths, with about 103 deaths and late presentation driving worse outcomes. Prevention Push: The PNG Cancer Foundation’s weekend fundraiser backed fitness and healthier eating, with free checks and first aid at the event. Rural Breakthrough: Pomio District Hospital performed PNG’s first emergency caesarean of its kind, saving a mother and twin babies and highlighting the value of stronger district services. Cervical Cancer Training: Western Highlands is expanding its cervical cancer elimination work, training O&G doctors in LLETZ to remove precancerous cells early. HIV Access: PNG received its first shipment of HIV self-test kits and is rolling out nationwide self-testing to expand care. WaSH in Clinics: WaterAid and NCDPHA delivered WaSH FIT training at 9-Mile Urban Clinic to strengthen water, sanitation, and infection prevention. Bird Flu Watch (Regional): Australia confirmed more H5N1 detections in migratory seabirds, with authorities stressing low human risk and no spread to poultry. Youth & Health: NGCB-backed kickboxing events and volunteer health orientations aim to build healthier, better-supported communities.

Rural maternal care breakthrough: Prime Minister James Marape hailed Pomio District Hospital’s first emergency caesarean section, delivering twin babies and saving the mother—showing how stronger district hospitals and trained staff can cut dangerous referral delays. Cardiac support partnership: Air Niugini renewed its long-running MOU with Operation Open Heart Foundation to keep flying children with heart disease and their guardians to Port Moresby General Hospital for specialist treatment and screening. Cervical cancer prevention push: Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority expanded training for clinicians in LLETZ, a procedure that removes precancerous cervical cells, as PNG continues to face high cervical cancer deaths. HIV testing access expands: PNG received the first shipment of HIV self-test kits and begins a nationwide rollout to reach people who can’t easily access clinics, aiming to reduce stigma and link more people to care. Water, sanitation, and infection control: WaterAid PNG and NCDPHA ran a WaSH in Healthcare Facilities deep-dive at 9-Mile Urban Clinic, integrating WASH FIT into infection prevention and control support. Community health action: Leprosy Mission PNG trained village health volunteers in Urban Kerema to improve leprosy prevention and detection, with follow-up fieldwork planned. Health and safety awareness: Military wives in Port Moresby were urged to prioritise check-ups and cervical cancer screening, while family sexual violence awareness sessions highlighted reporting and support services. Food security warning: El Niño impacts are hitting PNG hard, with frost and drought damaging gardens and raising malnutrition risks for up to millions, especially in the Highlands. Regional disease watch: Australia confirmed more H5N1 detections in migratory seabirds, with PNG’s earlier poultry import ban noted as authorities monitor risks.

HIV Testing Access: PNG has started rolling out HIV self-testing kits, with 26,000 kits already arrived and more planned nationwide, aiming to reach people who can’t or won’t access clinics and to reduce stigma while linking results to care. Rural Maternal Care: Prime Minister Marape hailed PNG’s first emergency caesarean section at Pomio District Hospital, delivering twin babies and saving the mother—showing how stronger district services can prevent dangerous delays. Child Heart Disease Support: Air Niugini renewed its long-running partnership with Operation Open Heart Foundation, securing transport for children needing specialist cardiac surgery and screening referrals. Cervical Cancer Prevention: Specialist training on LLETZ is expanding through PNG’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Program, helping clinicians remove precancerous cells before they become deadly. Women’s Health & Safety: Military wives were urged to prioritise health checks and cervical cancer screening, while a separate session highlighted support services for family sexual violence victims. Clinic Hygiene: WaterAid and NCDPHA delivered WaSH training at 9-Mile Urban Clinic to strengthen water, sanitation, cleaning and medical waste practices. Bird Flu Watch (Regional): Australia confirmed a fourth H5N1 case in a migratory seabird, with authorities stressing low human risk and no spread to poultry—relevant as PNG manages import and surveillance concerns.

Inclusion & Community Health: Port Moresby launched Asian Community Day today, with NCD Governor Powes Parkop saying the event strengthens social cohesion and recognises Asian communities’ contributions to business, tourism, education and healthcare. Rural Maternal Care: Prime Minister James Marape hailed Pomio District Hospital’s first emergency caesarean section, delivering twin babies and saving the mother—showing how stronger district hospitals can cut dangerous referral journeys. Child Heart Disease Support: Air Niugini renewed its partnership with Operation Open Heart Foundation, formalising transport for children needing specialist cardiac surgery at Port Moresby General Hospital. HIV Testing Access: PNG received the first shipment of HIV self-test kits for a nationwide rollout, aiming to reach people in hard-to-access communities and reduce stigma around knowing your status. Cervical Cancer Prevention Training: Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority is expanding LLETZ training, equipping O&G clinicians to remove precancerous cells before cervical cancer develops. Public Health & Safety: Military wives in Port Moresby were urged to prioritise health checks and cervical cancer screening, while another session highlighted reporting and support pathways for family sexual violence. Avian Flu Watch (Regional Risk): Australia reported a fourth H5N1 detection in a migratory bird, with authorities stressing no signs of spread to poultry or wildlife—relevant as PNG continues to manage import risks.

Rural Maternal Health Breakthrough: Prime Minister James Marape hailed Pomio District Hospital’s first emergency caesarean section, delivering twin babies and saving the mother—showing what district hospital strengthening can do for remote families. Child Heart Care Access: Air Niugini renewed its long-running partnership with Operation Open Heart Foundation, securing flights for children with heart disease and specialist teams to reach Port Moresby General Hospital. HIV Testing Push: PNG received the first shipment of 26,000 HIV self-test kits, kicking off a nationwide rollout aimed at reaching people who can’t easily access clinics and reducing stigma. Cervical Cancer Prevention Training: Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority is expanding LLETZ training for O&G doctors from multiple provinces to remove precancerous cells earlier and cut cervical cancer deaths. Leprosy Community Support: Village health volunteers in Urban Kerema completed PHACE training to improve leprosy prevention, detection, and community engagement. Public Health & Safety Focus: Military wives at the 9th convention were urged to prioritise health checks and cervical cancer screening, while family sexual violence awareness highlighted reporting and support services. Food Security Warning: El Niño impacts are driving frost, drought and crop loss, with Oxfam PNG warning up to 3 million people may be affected and malnutrition risk rising. Avian Flu Watch: Australia’s H5N1 detections in migratory seabirds continue, with PNG having suspended poultry and egg imports amid the regional bird flu alert.

HIV Testing Access: Papua New Guinea has started rolling out HIV self-testing kits nationwide, with the first 26,000 kits already delivered and more kits planned for distribution across provinces to reach people who can’t access clinics and to reduce stigma. Cervical Cancer Prevention: Military wives and health professionals were urged to prioritise cervical cancer screening and early check-ups, as PNG expands training on life-saving procedures like LLETZ to stop cervical cancer before it becomes deadly. Water, Sanitation & Infection Control: WaterAid PNG and NCDPHA ran a WaSH in Healthcare Facilities deep-dive at the 9-Mile Urban Clinic, training staff to plug gaps in water, cleaning, waste disposal and infection prevention. Rural Maternal Health: Prime Minister Marape hailed Pomio’s historic emergency twin delivery using emergency obstetric surgery, highlighting progress in rural health services. Leprosy Community Action: Village health volunteers in Urban Kerema completed training to fight leprosy, with support for prevention, detection and better community care. Health Infrastructure & Access: A new level-three health centre opened in Gasmata, and four new bridges are restoring safer access to schools and health services across multiple provinces. Bird Flu Watch: PNG’s poultry import rules have been linked to Australia’s H5N1 detections in wild birds, as surveillance and testing intensify.

HIV Testing Push: Papua New Guinea has started rolling out HIV self-testing kits nationwide, with the first 26,000 kits received for distribution this year (targeting hard-to-reach communities and reducing stigma). Maternal Health Milestone: Prime Minister James Marape hailed Pomio District Hospital’s first-ever Emergency Obstetric Surgery, delivering twin babies safely and saving the mother’s life. Cardiac Care Partnership: Operation Open Heart Foundation and Air Niugini signed a new MOU to strengthen support for life-saving heart treatment for children across PNG. Rural Health Infrastructure: A new level-three health centre opened in Gasmata, West New Britain, aiming to cut travel burdens and improve safety and outcomes for families. Access Boost via Transport: Four new bridges across Madang, New Ireland, West Sepik and West New Britain are restoring safer routes to schools, health services and markets. El Niño Food Security: El Niño-linked drought, frost and pests are driving severe food shortages, with Oxfam warning up to 3 million people could be affected and malnutrition risks rising. Bird Flu Watch (Regional): PNG’s poultry import rules are in the spotlight as Australia reports new H5N1 detections in wild birds, prompting ongoing surveillance and testing. Women’s Health & Safety: Military wives were urged to prioritise stress management and lifestyle disease prevention, alongside renewed focus on reporting family sexual violence through PNG’s support units.

Rural Maternal Health Milestone: Prime Minister Marape hailed Pomio District Hospital’s first-ever Emergency Obstetric Surgery, delivering twin babies safely and saving the mother—proof, he says, that rural health transformation is bringing specialist care closer. Child Cardiac Care Partnership: Operation Open Heart Foundation Inc. and Air Niugini signed a new Corporate Responsibility MOU to strengthen support for life-saving heart treatment for children across PNG. HIV Testing Access Boost: PNG began rolling out HIV self-testing kits nationwide, with 26,000 kits already arrived and 52,000 planned for the year, starting in NCD, Morobe, Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands to reach people who can’t access clinics. Health System Pressure & Spending Calls: Reports of overcrowded public hospital emergency wards and long waits renewed calls for better-targeted government investment, stronger staffing, and more transparent health spending. New Health Facility in West New Britain: Gasmata’s new level-three health centre (K20m) opened to cut travel burdens and improve safety and outcomes for remote families. Access Improved by Bridges: Four new bridges across Madang, New Ireland, West Sepik and West New Britain are restoring safer routes to schools, health centres and markets. El Niño Food Security Alarm: Frost and prolonged dry conditions are damaging Highlands crops and livestock, with Oxfam warning up to 3 million people could be affected and malnutrition risk rising. Bird Flu Watch in the Region: Australia’s H5N1 bird flu spread to a second state, prompting PNG’s earlier poultry/egg import suspension and later reversal with exemptions, while Australia continues surveillance. Military Families Focus on Wellbeing & Safety: Military wives were urged to prioritise stress management and health, while a Family Sexual Violence Awareness Program highlighted reporting pathways and support services. Healthcare Workforce Training: US-PNG support is training 60 correctional officers in tactical medicine and custody management to improve immediate care and safer operations.

HIV Care Access: Papua New Guinea has started rolling out HIV self-testing kits nationwide, with 26,000 kits already arrived and 52,000 planned for distribution this year, aiming to reach people in remote areas and reduce stigma while supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment. Food Security & Nutrition: El Niño is hitting PNG hard, with frost and prolonged drought damaging crops and livestock; Oxfam PNG warns up to 3 million people could be affected, and reduced meal variety raises malnutrition risk. Health Infrastructure: A new K20 million level-three health centre has opened in Gasmata, Kandrian-Gloucester, West New Britain, improving access for a remote community. WaSH & Service Delivery: Port Moresby’s ageing water system shows signs of imminent failure, with a major pipeline at risk of collapsing and threatening more than half the city’s water supply. Education for Health Workers: PNG is expanding higher education support, including a new 32-bed medical student dormitory at Angau Memorial Hospital and talks with Malaysia’s university for exchanges and training. El Niño Preparedness: Prime Minister James Marape has ordered provinces and districts to prepare for a potentially “extraordinary” dry season, with tailored drought response planning. Disease Risk (Regional): PNG’s bird flu trade measures have been tied to Australia’s H5N1 detections in wild seabirds, with PNG suspending and then reversing some poultry and egg import restrictions as updates come in. Community Health Promotion: BSP Life launched its “Movement is Medicine” Facebook challenge to encourage healthier lifestyles among young adults ahead of National Insurance Awareness Day.