All aboard for a Systematic Approach towards Pandemic Preparedness in PNG (ASAP – PNG)

Background

Papua New Guinea was awarded US$14.44 million from the Pandemic Fund to strengthen One Health preparedness and response across the small island developing state. The grant mobilized an additional US$93.6 million in co-financing from international partners, as well as US$176 million in co-investment from the government’s own budget. The project also brought together a range of research, academic, and civil society organizations such as the Burnet Institute, the University of Newcastle, and World Vision International, among others.

Papua New Guinea is rich in biodiversity, but unregulated contact among wildlife, animals, and humans raises the risk of disease outbreak. Similarly, deforestation, mining, and traditional bushmeat consumption exacerbate zoonotic spillover risks, while natural disasters and civil unrest heighten general instability. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea’s health system is hamstrung when it comes to mitigating risks. The country has limited infrastructure, and the vast majority of its population lives in rural areas, where there is a significant shortage of healthcare workers.

Papua New Guinea’s plans to fortify preparedness and response emphasize multisectoral cooperation, in keeping with the spirit of the Pandemic Fund. The project is led by the National Department of Health, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock. Its implementing entities are the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank.

Project objectives

With the support of the Pandemic Fund and project partners, Papua New Guinea seeks to strengthen the country’s prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities to fortify public health at both the national and provincial levels.

Implementation arrangements and key components

Papua New Guinea's project encompasses the Pandemic Fund’s three priorities -- laboratory systems, surveillance, and workforce development -- with a focus on strengthening national institutions. Detail on all project components follows.

Establishing a coordinated National Health Reference Laboratory System. Activities in this area include strengthening national laboratory quality systems, improving laboratory system mapping, and developing a laboratory information management system. They also include upgrading the National Animal Health and Food Testing Laboratory and the animal health diagnostic network, as well as reinforcing biosafety and biosecurity practices.

Enhancing surveillance to support early detection and response. This work includes expanding Integrated Respiratory Disease Surveillance (IRDS), strengthening animal health surveillance and biosecurity practices, and integrating surveillance across health sectors for timely decision-making.

Reinforcing the One Health workforce. Activities in this area include expanding the One Health Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program, offering the Field Training Program for Wildlife, Environment, Biodiversity, and Ecosystems at the community level, and developing a strategy for risk communication and community engagement in high-risk provinces. They also focus on strengthening Public Health Emergency Operations Centers by mapping the health emergency workforce, conducting simulation exercises at the national and provincial levels, and offering Early Action Review guidance and training.

Strengthening One Health Coordination. This work focuses on defining a national One Health governance framework, updating the National Action Plan for Health Security, and developing One Health emergency response plans.

The FAO’s support will focus on strengthening the One Health approach and multisectoral coordination, as well as supporting animal health surveillance. The World Bank will help strengthen early warning systems and laboratory infrastructure across both human and animal health, as well as support the establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers and other project activities.