Health Minister calls for stronger PHAs

Health Minister, Dr. Billy Joseph is calling for stronger Provincial Health Authorities (PHA), greater accountability and better health outcomes as PNG marks 20 years of PHA reforms.

Dr Billy Joseph made the call while officially opening the 60th Papua New Guinea Medical Symposium at the PNG University of Technology in Lae this week.

The theme is “Provincial Health Authorities Establishment Review: Past, Present and Future — PHAs Forward and Back.”

He says PNG now has more health facilities, health workers and investment which has grown from K346 million in 2007 to more than K3.2 billion in 2026, but key health indicators have not improved at the same pace.

Dr Joseph said skilled births remain at 44 percent, routine immunization is below 50 percent for some vaccines, tuberculosis (TB) rates are above 400 per 100,000, and around 1,256 health facilities remain closed.

He outlined a 120-Day Plan with 10 priorities including stronger leadership, medical supply reform, health infrastructure, workforce strengthening and a national pre-hospital care system.

The Minister stressed that PHA Boards and CEOs must be held accountable, with performance measured by results delivered to patients and communities.

Dr Joseph said the PHA review must lead to action to build a stronger, more accountable health system for the next 50 years of PNG.