World Health Organization (WHO)

This project aims to strengthen animal and public health systems, mitigate the risks of future pandemics and address health threats across Papua New Guinea through an integrated One Health approach.

Health ministers and other senior officials from the Region’s Member States voted during the 74^th session of the Western Pacific WHO Regional Committee meeting. 

Proposed by Tonga, Dr. Piukala is a surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience as a public health leader working in Tonga and across the Pacific. He is a champion of multi-sectoral collaboration to address health challenges, such as climate change, non-communicable diseases, and tobacco control, among others.

During a recent small-scale event, Dr. Sibauk Bieb, Executive Manager of Public Health at NDOH, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated WHO team for their unwavering commitment despite numerous challenges.

He also conveyed his satisfaction with the campaign's impressive achievement of covering 70 percent of children under 5 years of age.

The theme for this year's observance, "Food Standards Save Lives," was selected by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO) and Codex Alimentarius Commission.

During its 39th session in 2016, the commission unanimously endorsed a proposal to establish World Food Safety Day as a permanent event under the United Nations framework.

Each year, approximately one in ten individuals worldwide falls victim to foodborne illnesses, underscoring the importance of food standards in ensuring the safety of our meals.

A crucial contribution came in the form of 800 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) kits, which were presented to the NDOH.

These kits will enable healthcare workers to promptly respond to any adverse reactions that children may experience immediately after receiving their vaccines.

Dr. Ananda Amarasinghe, the team lead of WHO's Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization division, was present to personally hand over the AEFI kits to Dr. Edward Waramin of the NDOH.

This initiative aims to enhance eye health care services in the region. The equipment being handed over includes several vital assistive technologies. One of the key items is a non-mydriatic fundus camera, which comes with accompanying software and a laptop.

Additionally, indirect and direct ophthalmoscopes, vision charts, and pinhole occludes are also part of the equipment package. These tools will contribute significantly to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye-related conditions.

Director of Health Security and Emergencies, Dr. Babatunde Olowokure, met with the WHO country office emergencies team, key partners, and stakeholders to discuss future plans to enhance emergency preparedness and response in PNG.

He visited the Eastern Highlands province and met with provincial health authorities and other stakeholders to discuss how WHO can further support the provincial level in health emergency preparedness and response in the future, based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 response.

In addition, children between 6 months and five years will receive Vitamin A to boost their immunity and prevent diseases and blindness.

This is a critical and timely intervention by the National Department of Health, as Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces a high risk of disease outbreak due to low immunization coverage across the country.

It is commendable that the government is taking proactive steps to protect children from deadly and debilitating vaccine-preventable diseases.

Globally, more than 7 million premature deaths are attributed to air pollution, with two-thirds occurring in the Asia-Pacific region.

Responding to the urgency for solutions to this growing environmental challenge common to many countries and cities across the region, the High-Level Forum on Clean Air will take place in Ulaanbaatar this week, bringing together Ministers, senior policymakers and key stakeholders.

This is to specifically monitor the strength of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) systems in member countries.

The GLAAS report is an information tool that benchmarks the status of WaSH among countries by identifying enablers and barriers to achieving WaSH systems and services for all.

Aimed at creating and strengthening government-led platforms, GLAAS provides a forum to reinforce multi-sectoral coordination and stakeholder engagement among WaSH actors for service delivery.