Papua New Guinea needs K514 million over the next three years (2025-2027) to address tuberculosis (TB), according to an official from the Health Department. Dr. Sibauk Bieb, executive manager of public health, explained that this amount excludes the K17 million already provided by the Global Fund, which begins a new grant cycle in 2027.

Dr. Bieb shared this information with Health Secretary Dr. Osborne Liko, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ken Wii, and other partners during the conclusion of an emergency tuberculosis programme in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have commenced a new phase of their PNG Snakebite Partnership, aiming to combat the prevalence of snakebites and improve health outcomes in Papua New Guinea.

The partnership will be implemented by St John Ambulance in collaboration with Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) / Seqirus Pty Ltd and the National Department of Health. This new phase follows five successful years of implementation by the Charles Campbell Toxinology Centre and the Australian Venom Research Unit (AVRU) of the University of Melbourne.

Bosavi Health Centre, nestled in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, has been grappling with a severe shortage of basic medical drugs since June of last year, leading to tragic consequences such as deaths from snakebites and preventable diseases.
Fred Hamule, the community health worker at Bosavi Health Centre, shed light on the dire situation, attributing the lack of supplies to transport issues that have persisted for the past 11 months. Hamule typically procures supplies from the area medical store in Mt Hagen, but logistical challenges have impeded the delivery of vital medications to the health centre.

Last week, the Mega Health Clinic in Togoba, Western Highlands, witnessed an overwhelming response as a total of 10,435 individuals sought medical treatment over a span of four days.

Benson Safi, the clinic chairman, reported that a wide range of healthcare services were provided, including cataract surgery, optometry, heart disease treatment, dental care, general medical check-ups, massage therapy, chiropractic services, and a women's wellness clinic. Notably, all treatments and equipment were offered free of charge.

Safi highlighted the significant demand for dental services, with check-ups, extractions, and fillings being conducted alongside the distribution of over 4,000 pairs of glasses for individuals with vision problems.

Addressing a cohort of 356 graduates from the University of Papua New Guinea's School of Medicine and Health Science Faculty, Prime Minister James Marape reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to facilitating employment opportunities for burgeoning healthcare professionals. He emphasized the pressing need for a bolstered healthcare workforce across the nation.

Marape assured the graduates of the government's readiness to absorb them into the healthcare system, citing the increasing demand for nurses and doctors. He stressed that each graduate from the School of Medicine and Health Science could expect employment prospects, underscoring the significance of their training..