In 2018, Papua New Guinea (PNG) embarked on a transformative healthcare initiative, the Clinical Support Program (CSP), which aimed to enhance the quality of care at ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital and support capacity building at Port Moresby General Hospital and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT), this initiative highlights the need for international collaboration in strengthening healthcare systems in resource-limited settings like PNG.

The CSP, a three-year endeavour with an extension into 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was not just about clinical training. It aimed to improve healthcare delivery across multiple levels, focusing on infrastructure, capacity building, and sustainable healthcare practices. The program’s goals were ambitious yet critical, addressing urgent needs in a country facing unique healthcare challenges.

Two of HCA’s consultants, Lee Ridoutt and Bin Jalaludin, along with a new associate from PNG, Joyce Sauk, were contracted to perform an evaluation of the CSP in 2022. The program’s execution was multifaceted, employing a mixed-methods approach that included quantitative outputs and qualitative insights. This robust methodology ensured a comprehensive evaluation of program impacts.

Despite significant challenges, including logistical constraints and the global pandemic, the CSP made notable strides in enhancing healthcare capacity in PNG. One of the standout achievements was the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure at ANGAU Hospital, coupled with the training of healthcare staff that ensured these facilities were not just buildings, but be able to be commissioned to provide better patient care. This was especially so in the areas of emergency care and obstetrics.

The final report has taken a while to be published but DFAT has recently uploaded it to its website. You can have a read of the full published report here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/development/evaluation-clinical-support-program-papua-new-guinea