Health in PNG

Australia has significantly changed the way it funds and supports basic heath services in PNG.

Stand-alone project assistance could not effectively overcome institutional constraints to effective governance and effective delivery of health services. Such constraints hampered the ability of health sector agencies to plan, set priorities, budget and coordinate their activities.

A sector-wide approach to improve health services is now more widely used, with the PNG Government taking the lead. PNG and all major donors agree on a single set of priorities that they collectively monitor and review.

Australia has supported this sector-wide approach, known as the Health Services Improvement Program (HSIP) since 1999.

Under this approach, Australia places increasing emphasis on working through the PNG Government's service delivery systems. Australia has introduced robust systems to manage donor funds and ensure that annual planning reflects the agreed sector priorities.

Australia also supports the work of other development partners in PNG, including the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and the Asian Development Bank. Australia contributes to policy discussions on a wide range of health issues and provides technical support across the sector.

Australia has supported introducing incentives to encourage national and provincial governments in PNG to deliver health services more effectively.

As well as greater coordination of funding support, AusAID is integrating technical advisers into the PNG health system to better support institutional capacity strengthening.

Australia and other donors continue to support basic health services in PNG, particularly in rural areas.

Major aid activities

The following are some of the major activities in the health sector currently supported by Australia's aid program.

Capacity Building Service Centre (CBSC)

Contribution: $70 million
Duration: 2005-2010

The centre is an important part of AusAID's participation in the HSIP. The CBSC, with PNG health sector agencies, provides technical assistance and other forms of capacity building to help the health sector achieve the goals outlined in its strategic plans.

Health Sector Resourcing Framework (HSRF)

Contribution: $60 million
Duration: 2003 - 2009

The frameworkguides AusAID funding to the health sector in PNG. A mechanism of the framework is the HSIP Trust Account which enables direct financing to the PNG Government against set priorities. It also includes spending on discrete activities, such as building sexually transmitted infection clinics.

Health Program response to HIV/AIDS

Contribution: $50 million
Duration: Seven years

Responding to HIV/AIDS in PNG is a priority for the health program. As well as the $100 million PNG - Australia HIV and AIDS Program Sanap Wantaim, Australia will also provide up to $50 million to support an expanded health sector response to HIV/AIDS in PNG. Activities include a partnership with the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative to increase access to life saving drugs for HIV positive people and support for the delivery of Sexually Transmitted Infection prevention and management services. Australian non-government organizations and their PNG counterparts will undertake the activity through the PNG-Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program.

PNG Institute of Medical Research Support Program Phase 2

Contribution: $10.5 million
Duration: 2007-2011

Through Phase 1, support for medical research in PNG has led to improved diagnosis and treatment of the current health sector priorities including malaria, sexual health infections and respiratory diseases. Continued support over the next five years will enable the Institute to strengthen its links with the National Department of Health, the National Research Institute and the National AIDS Council Secretariat. This will lead to increased evidence-based decision making for developing effective health sector programs.

Medical Support Service Project

Contribution: $2.8 million
Duration: 2003 - 2007

The objective of the project is to help the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of PNG deliver priority health education programs and to build sustainable institutional capacity. The program will provide training for academic and administrative staff, teaching support for Master of Medicine students provided by visiting medical specialists, and teaching support provided by nursing advisers for students in the Bachelor of Clinical Nursing Program.

AusAID recently extended the project for 12 months awaiting the design of a more comprehensive program of assistance to pre-service training.

July 2007