Impact Health PNG Project

03/05/2026

Health Department releases 8 vehicles to IMPACT Health PHAs to support outreach

The IMPACT Health Project-supported Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) of East New Britain, Simbu Provincial Health Authority, Central, and East Sepik Provincial Health Authority-ESPHA will now benefit from an additional two vehicles to their fleet, to support outreach and health service delivery at the frontlines.

The Health Project is implemented by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and financed by the .

Health Secretary Mr. Pascoe Kase released the 8 land cruiser vehicles, 2 to each PHA respectively to CEOs Dr. Ako Yap (ENBPHA), Dr. Ken Kassi (SiPHA) and Mr. Simon Ora, Acting CEO (CPHA) in Port Moresby on Thursday. ESPPHA CEO Mr. Mathew Kaluvia was not present but acknowledged the small ceremony.

Secretary Kase thanked the IMPACT Health Project and the on behalf of the Government and the PHAs for funding the project, when releasing the vehicles to the PHAs.

“These vehicles will enhance the capacity of Frontline Health Care workers of PHAs in delivering health services to our people in those four provinces.

"We want you to use the vehicles for the purposes intended, and we hope to get good results from the use of these vehicles,” Mr Kase said.

Secretary Kase recalled the design phase of the project that aimed to build the capacity of PHAs. He said once PHAs were qualified and fit to move on, similar projects can be negotiated in the future to support other PHAs.

Mr Kase added: “I am getting reports that this project has done its’ job and has built the capacity of the four PHAs and even the NDoH as well to provide oversight and monitoring of the programs that these PHAs are doing."

A total of eight (8) vehicles were purchased by the NDoH through the Project. Each PHA will receive 2 vehicles to support health service delivery – specifically, delivery of essential health services at Primary Health Care level and utilized to help improve outreach under Component 1 of the Project, among other interventions.

Responding on behalf of the four PHAs, Simbu PHA CEO Dr. Ken Kassi thanked the NDoH, the World Bank and the IMPACT Health Project for the vehicles.

Dr Kassi said: “On behalf of the four provinces, East New Britain, East Sepik Provincial Health Authority-ESPHA, Central and Simbu Provincial Health Authority, we are grateful for these vehicles. It will help us now to drive our existing health services better, in the districts, in our rural areas.”

20/04/2026

Appreciate the support of our key partners. Thank you World Bank Pacific, Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for supporting health service delivery at the frontlines✅️🙏

20/04/2026

Thank you EMTV Online and thank you Dr Kassi Kesman Ken Clare Tedor DHMs, East Sepik Provincial Health Authority-ESPHA Simbu Provincial Health Authority Central PHA, East New Britain PHA, Madang Provincial Health Authority Western Provincial Health Authority Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority and West New Britain PHA🙏

08/04/2026

📍A total of 75 health workers from the Child Nutrition & Social Protection (CNSP) Project & Impact Health PNG Project PHAs of Central, Simbu Provincial Health Authority, East New Britain and Simbu Provincial Health Authority joined their counterparts from Madang Provincial Health Authority, Western Provincial Health Authority & Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority and completed a two-week Village Health Assistant (VHA) Training of Trainers (TOT) training in Port Moresby recently.👏

💲 The training was conducted from 9-20 March by the National Department of Health (NDoH), supported by the CNSP & IMPACT Health - both projects financed by World Bank Pacific.

🩺The training aimed at equiping PHAs at provinces, to support the CNSP Project in ENB, Simbu, Madang & Western. It also prepares Central & East Sepik for upcoming capacity-building training of health workers & VHAs in the Impact Health PNG Project PHAs. 💊

🍀VHAs, as the primary health promoters in communities, play a crucial role in advancing health and nutrition outcomes, according to the draft VHA Policy and National Health Plan 2021-2030. Their effectiveness relies on robust training, empowerment, and strong support systems within current structures.

The TOT training aimed at:
✅ providing Participants with essential skills and knowledge to facilitate adult learning effectively, focusing on community health initiatives and practical application;
✅ helping Participants emerge as confident and skilled trainers capable of implementing health education programs that improve community health outcomes; and
✅ creating a pool of trainers at the sub-national to help train other health workers & VHAs.

☀️The training was facilitated by 23 technical officers from NDoH’s Nutrition Program, Family Health, Health Promotion, Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority, Central PHA, UNICEF Papua New Guinea, Catholic Church Health Services PNG, Save the Children, FHI 360, World Vision Papua New Guinea, CHAI, World Bank, CNSP, Impact Health PNG Project & DAL.

📌The training positioned VHAs as essential change agents and local connectors for health and nutrition programs. Their effectiveness depends on proper training, integration into government systems and community structures, and support from PHAs, partners, and agencies.

🩺Capacity building is crucial for empowering these frontline workers and is seen as a vital investment for improved development outcomes.

The addresses high rates in PNG by targeting nutrition in the & supporting vulnerable families with cash & community programs. Healthcare workers and volunteers receive training to provide customized nutrition education.🥗

The Impact Health PNG Project seeks to strengthen primary health care in rural and remote communities & provide tools/financing to strengthen service delivery/capacity of PHAs.🏥

⏰In the upcoming months, the Impact Health PNG Project will work with key partners to upskill health workers & support community-based interventions to help deliver quality health services focused on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition services.

01/04/2026

Well-done Simbu Provincial Health Authority We are always happy to hear positive news from PHAs we work with ✅️

02/03/2026

👏Always great to see project-supported provinces use their performance funds to improve health service delivery in their respective provinces.🎉

☑️And we are proud to see Simbu Provincial Health Authority purchase and commission a new land cruiser vehicle today in Simbu to do just that - improve health service delivery at the frontlines!

🚑The new land cruiser was procured with PHA performance funds from the National Department of Health, through the World Bank Pacific-financed .

💲Performance funds, also known as Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) funding, are funds dispersed through the IMPACT Health Project by the NDoH when project PHAs meet and improve on certain target indicators from year to year and upon verification of results by an Independent Verification Agent (IVA).

⏰Timely transfer of performance funds or DLI funds by the NDoH to the PHAs is the third project national indicator for the IMPACT Health Project and sees the NDoH financially benefiting from meeting this indicator, which contributes to the project development objective of improving flow of funds to the frontlines.

It is up to PHAs to use these flexible funding as per their DLI annual implementation plans and budgets, and to support health service delivery, address gaps or support administration and program implementation in the PHAs.💉

According to SiPHA, the commissioning of the vehicle today marked an important pace in strengthening health service delivery Simbu’s rugged terrain.🩺

CEO Dr. Ken Kassi highlighted the critical role of vehicles in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in operations. He stressed that such assets are essential for achieving maximum output and delivering good results in health programs.💊

Dr. Kassi extended his gratitude to the Public Health Directorate, acknowledging their leadership and commitment in making this achievement possible. 💯

He emphasized that the commissioning of the vehicle was a recognition of strong health indicators and positive results achieved through collaborative efforts.🎈

SiPHA thanked the National Department of Health and the World Bank through the IMPACT Health Project for this support.📍

Photos: SiPHA

19/02/2026

Over K60 million for PNG for pandemic preparedness🙏

Big news for Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬

PNG has secured a US$14.44 million grant from the Pandemic Fund to strengthen pandemic preparedness across the country.

The “All Aboard for a Systematic Approach towards Pandemic Preparedness in PNG" project will help PNG better prevent, detect and respond to future health threats — protecting families, communities and livelihoods from the impacts of outbreaks. 🏥🌏

We’re proud to support the National Department of Health and the National Department of Agriculture and Livestock, working alongside FAO, to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response at both national and provincial levels.

We also acknowledge the Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea 🇦🇺 for support through the Advance Universal Health Coverage partnership.

Together, we’re working with PNG to build a healthier, more resilient future.

🔗 Learn more about the project:
http://wrld.bg/1fgY50YgVBb

🔗 Explore all Third Call projects:
http://wrld.bg/i4iA50YgVC4

30/01/2026

📢 VACANCY NOTICE.

Simbu Provincial Health Authority is advertising fully funded Positions under Director Curative & Public Health Service.

Qualified and experienced professionals are invited to apply. These roles require strong leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to strengthening the nation’s health system.

⏳ Interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the closing date.

20/01/2026