Health

Speeches Shim

Pacific Islands Regional Profile - Health Photo

Papua New Guinea suffers from the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the Pacific Islands. USAID works with the government and civil society to reach full epidemic control by improving retention, achieving viral load suppression and transitioning to a sustainable domestic financing and civil society-led response. In addition, Papua New Guinea has the highest rate of tuberculosis (TB) in the Pacific Islands region and one of the highest rates of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the world. USAID partners with the Government of Papua New Guinea to effectively respond to MDR-TB and was instrumental in helping to slow the 2018 polio outbreak.

PROJECTS

USAID HIV Support in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea suffers from highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the Pacific Islands. USAID provides technical assistance to local clinics and communities to improve HIV case identification, linkages to treatment, and increase retention of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). USAID also integrates and institutionalize gender-based violence services into HIV programming and supports the transition from PEPFAR to domestic planning, financing, and allocation of resources.

WHO Polio and Immunization Support
USAID is assisting the Government of Papua New Guinea to respond to the 2018 polio outbreak by contributing to a World Health Organization program. The program has immunized 3.1 million children, assessed 23,000 children and established 22 provincial vaccination centers that will also be used for routine immunization and other health emergencies.

Tuberculosis (TB) Assistance in Papua New Guinea (via multiple awards)
*Managed by USAID/Washington
Papua New Guinea has the second highest tuberculosis and Multi-Drug Resistant TB prevalence in the Western Pacific Region. USAID complements current measures in PNG to improve the treatment outcomes for drug-resistant TB throughout the country. In 2018, USAID focused on supporting the introduction of new TB drugs and regimens by developing and strengthening the country's pharmacovigilance system to improve monitoring and management of adverse drug reactions. With USAID support, PNG obtained full membership to the World Health Organization's Programme for International Drug Monitoring in 2018.