Papua New Guinea: Primary Health Update

Infant and Maternal Health
Infant and maternal deaths remain high and access to health care is limited. Only 3% of PNG’s roads are paved and the capital is not accessible by car, so most travel across the provinces is by foot or air. There is especially inadequate coverage of antenatal care and the low number of births attended by trained health professionals increases the risk to both mother and child during delivery.

The HIV/AIDS Epidemic
PNG was declared to have an epidemic of HIV in 2003. Today more than 2% of the adult population is now infected. AIDS-related deaths are the leading cause of death at the General Hospital in the capital city of Port Moresby.

Major Challenges and Success Stories
Tuberculosis remains a major health problem and those with a depressed immune system, such as those with HIV, are particularly vulnerable. Other leading causes of preventable death include pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea and meningitis. The rise of the more ‘invisible’ diseases such as diabetes and hypertension is also a major concern.

Despite these problems there are success stories such as the eradication of polio, interruption in transmission of measles, and the near eradication of leprosy.

There is much work to be done!
To help meet the growing needs, HOPE worldwide is expanding its capacity and working together with the PNG government, other NGOs and the community to improve the situation. The report below covers the latest development in our Primary Health Services - including upgrading health services at the Nine Mile Clinic in Port Moresby and extending health services in the Central Highlands.

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Papua New Guinea, click here