Papua New Guinea welcomes the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, for a high-level mission that underscores WHO’s deep commitment to supporting the country’s health priorities and strengthening partnerships that drive progress toward universal health coverage.
Upon his arrival, Dr Piukala was warmly received with a traditional Papua New Guinean welcome by WHO PNG colleagues—a vibrant cultural gesture that reflects the country’s rich heritage and the strong bonds between WHO and the communities it serves. This heartfelt reception set the tone for a mission grounded in mutual respect, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Dr Piukala's mission brings together national and international partners, including the National Department of Health (NDoH), Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs), the Australian Government, and key health development stakeholders. A major highlight of the visit is the official launch of the DFAT–WHO–NDoH Partnership (2025–2028)—a strategic initiative valued at AUD 15 million. This partnership aims to revitalise primary health care, expand the PNG health workforce, improve access to essential medicines, and enhance emergency preparedness across the country.
A central component of the mission includes a series of roundtable discussions with key government counterparts, focusing on critical health priorities such as polio eradication, the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and broader health system strengthening. These dialogues provide a platform for aligning strategies, sharing technical expertise, and identifying actionable solutions. They are expected to yield positive outcomes, including stronger policy coordination, accelerated implementation of national health plans, and renewed momentum in addressing both communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
Significant high-level engagements include meetings with Health Minister Hon. Elias Kapavore, the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Mr Ewen McDonald, and senior health development partners. Dr Piukala will also receive a detailed briefing on PNG’s polio outbreak response partnership, where WHO continues to work closely with NDoH and partners to strengthen immunisation systems and boost vaccination coverage and health security.
A significant part of the mission will be a field visit led by Dr Piukala to a local PNG province prioritised for primary health care transformation. He will visit key health facilities, schools, spotlight community-led innovations and WHO-supported efforts to deliver essential services to remote and island populations.
The visit also reflects WHO’s regional vision of “Weaving the Mat”—a symbol of collective action and shared responsibility in building resilient, inclusive health systems. As the mission unfolds, it is expected to deepen collaboration, inspire local leadership, and reaffirm WHO’s commitment to ensuring that every Papua New Guinean—no matter where they live—has access to quality health care.