On World Health Day 2024, Australia is investing up to $45.5 million (K114, 618, 699.20) in six new initiatives to strengthen health systems across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, including Papua New Guinea.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacifico Pat Conroy jointly announced this in a press statement today.
The announcement today April 7, 2024 is part of Australia’s Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, which works with governments and civil society organisations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to build resilient, equitable and inclusive health systems.
This initiative will be engaged with the National Department of Health and partners to strengthen PNG’s nursing and midwifery skills.
Support will be made available for data management systems, to improve availability of medicines and the use of health data for decision making.
“Support recognises that improving health systems is vital to ensuring our region is resilient against current and future health challenges, including those posed by climate change.
“Among the new initiatives are training for essential health workforce skills, including critical care, nursing and midwifery, and support to improve disease surveillance and response, including tackling the increasing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
“In addition, we are supporting greater inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities, working with their representative organisations to increase access to quality, rights-based mental health services,” stated Madam Wong and Mr Conroy.