Papua New Guinea National Department of Health (NDoH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is currently hosting a Digital Health Strategy Consultation Workshop in Port Moresby.
This is towards marking a significant step of transforming the health sector in Papua New Guinea through digital innovation.
The workshop will focus on the National Digital Health Strategy, which aims to improve healthcare delivery and accessibility, enhance data management, and strengthen health systems across the country by leveraging digital technologies.
The strategy is aligned with the Department of ICT’s whole-of-government digital plans demonstrating the National Department of Health’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions for better services.
Chief Executive Officers and ICT Managers from Provincial Health Authorities (PHA), NDoH Senior Executive Management and program representatives, central agencies like Department of ICT and the National ICT Authority, as well as development partners will engage in interactive sessions to agree on innovative solutions to strengthen digital health in the country.
The workshop will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss and provide feedback on the draft digital health strategy so it can be finalized for Government approvals.
The two-day consultation workshop will be held from the 30th of July (today) to the 31st of July 2024 (tomorrow) at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Port Moresby.
Minister for Health, Dr Lino Tom, stated that the discussions from this workshop are critical and timely. In terms of adopting digital technologies in the health sector, this offers numerous benefits for patients and communities, health workers and health managers.
“Considering our country’s geographical context with mountainous terrain and dispersed communities, digital technologies provide us with unique opportunities to reach our remote communities, increase efficiency in business processes in health facilities and strengthen service delivery and quality of care.”
World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Papua New Guinea and Officer in Charge, Dr Challa Ruda, also shared that WHO is committed to supporting Papua New Guinea in harnessing the power of digital health and is working closely with, NDoH, PHAs, central agencies and partners to optimizing the benefits of digital health to achieve the goals and objectives of the National Health Plan 2021-2030.
“This includes technical assistance on implementation of digital health solutions, helping to strengthen governance through the e-Health Technical Working Group and Steering Committee, and convening partners around a common agenda for digital health as in the workshop.”
Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative in Papua New Guinea, Angela Kearney, stated that digital health is a powerful tool for advancing children’s health and well-being and with that, UNICEF is proud to support this initiative, which will help ensure all children have access to quality healthcare services.
The National Digital Health Strategy and consultation workshop underscore the commitment of the Papua New Guinea National Department of Health, WHO, and UNICEF to advancing public health through innovation and collaboration.