HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING
The WHO building blocks of health systems
PNG Health Workforce
Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Papua New Guinea is one of the few countries in the world that have professionalised Community Health Workers (CHWs). CHWs form the largest component of the clinical health workforce in PNG, often performing roles at much higher levels than their intended scope of practice due to the severe workforce shortages across the country.
Health Extension Officers (HEOs)
HEOs are a unique cadre that has been designed specifically for rural PNG. These superstars can perform minor surgeries, manage community health centres, run public health programs and a thousand other skills.
Nursing Officers (NOs)
Like any country, the nurses and midwives of PNG form a critical component of the health system but with the majority of the workforce nearing the age of retirement they are acutely overstretched.
Doctors
There are currently only around 500 doctors in the entire country, giving PNG the lowest doctor to population ratio in the Pacific and one of the lowest in the world. With only around 100 graduates being produced a year, tragically this ratio is declining.
ADI works with PHAs, National Department of Health and Church Health Services to build the capacity of rural health workers through case- based learning and class- based teaching.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to health systems all over the word. PNG’s already fragile health system has been under incredible pressure, leading to a drop in routine immunisation coverage and disruptions to critical public health programs and essential services. ADI has been working with PHAs to address the misinformation hindering the COVID vaccine roll out and other health programs. We have supported training of health workers, logistics for delivery of vaccines.
ADI’s Impact
ADI assesses the effectiveness of our programs and partnerships by regularly evaluating our initiatives. ADI seeks to ensure we are strengthening provincial health systems by working closely together with our partners to achieve the objectives outlined in the PNG National Health Plan 2021-2023. ADI regularly undertakes province-specific internal and external project evaluations, with the goal of continuous improvement and ultimately, playing our part in improving the health and wellbeing of rural communities in PNG. Below are some examples of Project Evaluations ADI has undertaken: