The Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) successfully concluded its 2024 Annual Review Conference and Partnership Meeting on Friday, February 14. The three-day event, hosted by the PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP) in Balimo, Delta Fly District, was a milestone in collaborative healthcare planning. For the first time, local Officers in Charge (OICs), district health managers, church and private healthcare providers were actively involved in key decision-making processes. This inclusive approach marks a significant shift from previous years when only a select few determined healthcare strategies for the province. The conference focused on the pressing challenges faced by healthcare providers in Western Province, including:

• Medicine shortages
• Geographical barriers
• Infrastructure limitations
• Human resource constraints
• Logistical and communication difficulties

Healthcare representatives had the opportunity to present their concerns and contribute to identifying solutions for WPHA’s overall planning. The open dialogue fostered intense discussions, scrutiny, and fact-based analysis, providing WPHA with valuable insights into both rural and urban healthcare challenges. Prominent guests and key health partners engaged in discussions to dissect core issues affecting healthcare delivery in the province with the meeting underscored the importance of collaboration, leading to renewed commitments from stakeholders to support WPHA’s mission of delivering quality healthcare for all Western Province residents. By fostering mutual understanding, WPHA aims to develop a comprehensive and inclusive plan to tackle healthcare challenges effectively while the Partners expressed strong interest in addressing these issues, reinforcing their dedication to strengthening healthcare services across the region. Representatives from various organizations attended the meeting, including:

• PNG Sustainable Development Program
• Ok Tedi Mining Health Services
• LBL Western Medicare
• ECPNG Health Services
• Catholic Church Health Services
• PNG Australia Transition to Health
• Burnet Institute
• World Vision
• Callan Services
• Australian Doctors International
• Youth with a Mission (YWAM)
• Strickland Bosavi Foundation
• Rotarians Against Malaria
• Council of Women, SFD

WPHA remains committed to working alongside its partners to ensure a more effective and diversified healthcare outreach in Western Province. This landmark conference marks a new era of cooperation, paving the way for improved health service delivery in the years ahead.