Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD)
Asia and the Pacific Region

Papua New Guinea holds project consultation workshop for the Global Health Security Program in collaboration with FAO, WHO and USAID

Papua New Guinea holds project consultation workshop for the Global Health Security Program in collaboration with FAO, WHO and USAID

©FAO Papua New Guinea

19/03/2024
The Government of Papua New Guinea, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), held a project consultation technical workshop for the Global Health Security Program (GHSP) for Papua New Guinea today in Port Moresby. 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.

Papua New Guinea grapples with multifaceted challenges in the animal and human health sectors, including shortages in human resources, training facilities and diagnostic capabilities, particularly in remote regions. These complexities amplify the challenges of disease prevention, early detection and rapid response. Moreover, the country faces threats from transboundary animal diseases, zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, which pose significant risks to both the agricultural sector and public health.

In his opening remarks, Sibauk Bieb, Executive Manager for Public Health, Ministry of Health underscored the country’s proactive stance in addressing these challenges and stressed the need to strengthen health security capacities through the implementation of the GHSP project. “This initiative will provide invaluable support to Papua New Guinea by enhancing our animal and public health systems, mitigating disease risks, and advancing our national development objectives. It aims to significantly enhance our capability to effectively manage health crises.”

Kachen Wongsathapornchai, Regional Manager of FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), highlighted the project’s significance as a milestone in collective efforts to support the prevention, detection and response to animal and public health emergencies in Papua New Guinea. “This initiative not only enhances country’s capabilities to support disease control initiatives but also contributes to strengthening sustainable livestock production, enhancing food safety and security, and safeguarding environmental health, all while promoting livelihoods and protecting global health.”

Joaquim Da Silva, World Health Organization (WHO)-PNG, Health Emergencies Team Lead, emphasized the paramount importance of the One Health Project in strengthening, expanding and consolidating countrywide Papua New Guinea’s capacity to implement the IHR 2005 core capacities. Thus, this project could contribute to improving the overall health systems to prevent, detect, investigate, assess, prepare and respond potential public health threats and systematically manage acute emergencies through a multisectoral One Health approach. He also reiterated the increasing importance of multisectoral collaboration involving human health, animal health, food safety and environment sectors through One Health approach to reduce the socio-economic consequences of disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies and protect the health and well-being of the population.

The USAID Acting Health Office Director for Papua New Guinea reiterated the agency's unwavering commitment to supporting global health security initiatives, stressing that USAID is honored to partner with Papua New Guinea and reaffirming our dedication to safeguard global health security and prevent pandemics. The GHS initiative reenforces USAID’s commitment to strengthen the health system and supports the One Health approach to reinforce human and animal health capacity to prevent and mitigate future pandemics in Papua New Guinea.

Approximately 30 technical level representatives from key government agencies, international organizations and development partners attended the workshop, including the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, the National Department of Health, the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, FAO, USAID and WHO, among others.

The Government of Papua New Guinea, FAO, WHO and USAID will continue to strengthen animal and public health systems in Papua New Guinea. The GHSP project is committed to building resilient and inclusive One Health systems, mitigating the risks of zoonoses, emerging diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The collaborative consultation marks a crucial step towards a healthier and safer future for Papua New Guinea.
Contact

Mirriam Mondia, FAO PNG Head of Programme
Rindu Putri, FAO ECTAD Regional Communications Specialist