Improving
Child
Health
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At ADI, we believe that every child deserves a healthy start in life, no matter where they live. In PNG, children in rural and remote areas face significant health challenges, with limited access to medical care, preventive services, and essential health education.
Through our programs, we work alongside local health authorities to strengthen child health services, ensuring that children in some of the most underserved communities receive the care they need to grow and thrive.
Our approach focuses on three key areas: health promotion in schools, immunisation, and dental and eye health. These interventions help prevent disease, promote lifelong healthy habits, and ensure that children can fully participate in school and community life.
Health Promotion in Schools
Education is one of the most powerful tools for improving long-term health outcomes. In many rural PNG communities, children and their families have limited access to accurate health information. Without this knowledge, preventable diseases, poor hygiene practices, and malnutrition continue to impact child development and well-being.
ADI supports school-based health promotion programs that equip children with essential knowledge about hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. Our teams work closely with teachers and local health workers to deliver engaging lessons on:
- Handwashing and hygiene – Teaching children the importance of regular handwashing to prevent infections.
- Nutrition and healthy eating – Helping students understand how food choices affect their growth and development.
- Sexual and reproductive health – Providing age-appropriate education to promote informed choices and prevent early pregnancies.
- Disease prevention – Raising awareness about common illnesses like malaria, tuberculosis, and respiratory infections.
By integrating health education into school curriculums, we empower children to take charge of their own health and become advocates for healthier communities.
Immunisation: Protecting Children from Preventable Diseases
Immunisation is one of the most effective ways to protect children from life-threatening diseases such as measles, polio, and pneumonia. Yet, in many remote areas of PNG, vaccine coverage remains low due to challenges in accessing health services, vaccine supply issues, and misinformation.
ADI works alongside PNG’s National Department of Health and Provincial Health Authorities to support outreach immunisation programs. Our teams travel to some of the most hard-to-reach villages, delivering vaccines to children who might otherwise go unprotected.
Through these efforts, we help to:
- Increase vaccine coverage – Ensuring more children receive routine immunisations on time.
- Improve cold chain management – Supporting local health workers in maintaining vaccine quality.
- Raise community awareness – Educating parents on the importance of vaccines to combat misinformation.
Immunised children are healthier and have better developmental outcomes, allowing them to attend school regularly and reach their full potential. Moreover, immunisation reduces the risk of disease transmission within households, protecting newborns, elderly family members, and other vulnerable individuals. This fosters a healthier environment for families, enabling parents to focus on economic activities rather than constantly dealing with child illnesses.
Dental and Eye Health: Ensuring Every Child Can Learn and Thrive
Good oral and eye health are essential for children’s overall well-being and academic success. However, in rural PNG, access to dental and eye care is extremely limited, leading to preventable pain, infections, and vision problems that can affect a child’s ability to learn and participate in daily life.
Tooth decay and gum disease are widespread in PNG, often due to poor oral hygiene, limited access to fluoride, and a diet high in sugar. Many children suffer from untreated dental problems that cause pain, difficulty eating, and school absenteeism.
ADI supports dental outreach services that provide:
- Oral health education – Teaching children and parents about brushing, flossing, and reducing sugar intake.
- Basic dental treatment – Providing basic dental care, extractions, and treatment for infections.
- Capacity building – Training local health workers to provide ongoing dental care in their communities.
Clear vision is crucial for a child’s development and education, yet many children in PNG go through school with undiagnosed vision problems. Without access to eye tests and corrective lenses, children with poor vision struggle in school, limiting their future opportunities.
ADI partners with eye health specialists to conduct screenings and provide:
- Free eye tests – Identifying vision problems early.
- Prescription glasses – Giving children the ability to see clearly and engage in their studies.
- Referrals for advanced care – Connecting children with specialists for conditions like cataracts and infections.
By addressing dental and eye health issues, we remove barriers to education and give children the best possible start in life.
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