The Australian Government’s continued support for healthcare in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has seen significant progress with the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) Project, which has been strengthening the skills of healthcare professionals working with critically ill and injured children across the country.

Since 2018, the project has trained over 240 health workers in key cities, including Port Moresby, Lae, and Goroka, enabling clinicians to deliver life-saving care in paediatric emergencies.

To complement this vital training, the APLS project team has recently procured 13 multipurpose monitors from a local supplier, which will be used in wards at the Port Moresby General Hospital and other provincial hospitals.

These monitors are designed to assist healthcare workers in tracking vital signs and guiding clinical decision-making during critical resuscitation efforts.

The decision to purchase the equipment locally not only supports the healthcare system in PNG but also underscores the Australian Government’s commitment to contributing to the local economy.

The procurement was a clear demonstration of the Government's aim to ensure that its development assistance benefits both the healthcare sector and the broader economic development of PNG.

As part of the APLS training, clinicians are learning how to use these vital signs monitors effectively, improving their ability to respond to paediatric emergencies.

The monitors will play a key role in the delivery of hands-on, real-life scenario training over a 3-day course, equipping healthcare workers with the skills and confidence needed to manage critical paediatric cases.

This is part of the Australian Government’s broader commitment to improving health outcomes for women and children in PNG.

The APLS project is a collaborative effort, supported through the long-standing partnership between the Port Moresby General Hospital and the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS), with funding from the Australian Government.