East Sepik joint mission focuses on bringing primary health care closer to communities

For many communities in East Sepik Province, reaching essential health services can require travelling long distances, particularly when nearby health or aid posts are not operating. A high-level joint mission led by Dr Rajendra Yadav, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Papua New Guinea, visited East Sepik Province from 12 to 16 October 2026 to identify practical opportunities to strengthen primary health care (PHC), and ensure communities have better access to essential health services closer to home.

The five-day mission brought together representatives from the National Department of Health (NDoH), WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, PATH’s Accelerated Immunization and Health Systems Strengthening (AIHSS) programme, The East Sepik Provincial Health Administration, and other development partners. The delegation included WHO technical leads working across primary health care, health emergencies, immunization, antimicrobial resistance and health information systems.

The mission provided an opportunity to engage directly with provincial health leaders, frontline health workers, local authorities, community representatives and partners to understand the realities of health service delivery, recognise achievements, identify persistent challenges and explore solutions that respond to local needs.

Working together to strengthen health services

During the official welcome in Wewak on 12 October, the delegation met with East Sepik Provincial Health Authority (PHA) leadership, including the Chief Executive Officer, Board Chairman, provincial health leaders, directors, programme managers and technical staff.

Discussions focused on the province’s health situation, progress made, service delivery challenges and priorities for strengthening the health system.

Dr Yadav emphasised that the mission was not intended to assess or judge the province, but to listen, learn and work alongside communities, health authorities, frontliners and partners to identify practical actions and support PHC intensifications.

The visit forms part of broader efforts to strengthen integrated PHC across all four levels of the health system, from aid posts and community health facilities to district hospitals. Priorities include improving routine immunization, maternal and child health, tuberculosis and HIV services, and other essential health programmes, while strengthening community engagement and multisectoral collaboration.

Man in gray blazer and shell necklace speaks into a microphone in front of an East Sepik health authority banner.

Photo caption: Mr. Mathew Kaluvia, the Chief Executive Officer of the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority, giving his opening remarks and welcoming the delegation. Photo credit: WHO Papua New Guinea.

Participants sit at white-draped U-shaped tables in a conference room while a man in a vest speaks at a microphone.

Photo caption: Dr. Rajendra-Prasad Yadav, Head of WHO Office in Papua New Guinea, during his opening remarks. Photo credit: WHO Papua New Guinea.

Bringing essential health services closer to communities

From 13 to 15 October, the delegation visited six health facilities spanning Levels 1 to 4: Maprik District Hospital, Naramko Community Health Post, Huliwa Aid Post, Sassoya Health Centre, Tumarau Sub-Health Centre and Passam Aid Post.

The visits provided an opportunity to observe essential health service delivery and engage with the health workers providing care.

The team examined both the services available, and the resources needed to deliver them. It observed immunization, antenatal care (ANC), supervised delivery, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other priority services provided in the health facilities. It also reviewed the PHC essentials, including the availability of health workers and medical supplies, as well as key enablers of PHC, such as power, water, and transport. Discussions with health workers and district authorities explored achievements, operational challenges, and opportunities to improve the quality, continuity, and reach of care.

Man in WHO vest and flower garland points at an immunization chart on a clinic wall. Photo caption: Dr. Rajendra-Prasad Yadav, Head of WHO Office in Papua New Guinea, during discussions with staff.Photo credit: WHO Papua New Guinea.

Bearded man with pen and notepad and a nurse in white stand in a yellow clinic, looking left toward a wall chart. Photo caption: Health staff during discussions with WHO and other delegation members. Photo credit: WHO Papua New Guinea.

Following each facility visit, the delegation met with local-level government leaders, ward councillors, Village Health Assistants and community representatives to discuss community health priorities and how local leadership could improve access to care. For communities in East Sepik, shortages of essential medicines and long journeys to reach care were central concerns raised during the community discussions. Community members described how closed Health/Aid posts increase the distances they must travel to access services. These discussions with local government leaders, including the district development authority and ward councillors, and community members also explored opportunities to strengthen integrated outreach health services for communities facing geographical and other barriers to accessing health facilities, as well as to build maternal waiting homes and health worker housing on facility grounds in collaboration with communities.

A large group of about forty people poses outdoors on dry grass in front of a thatched palm-leaf shelter under an overcast sky. Several people in the middle wear blue WHO vests and bright flower garlands, and some raise their hands in a wave.

Photo caption: Meeting with local-level government leaders, ward councillors, Village Health Assistants and community representatives to discuss community health priorities. Photo credit: WHO Papua New Guinea.

Turning collaboration into action

The central focus of the mission was the importance of collaboration between provincial health authorities, government agencies, communities, UN organisations and development partners to intensify primary health care.

Strengthening primary health care requires more than individual health facilities providing services. It also depends on effective coordination across programmes, reliable immunization and outreach activities, strong community participation, and continued engagement between health workers and the people they serve and inter sectoral collaboration .

The mission provided a platform for partners to identify shared priorities, better understand service delivery gaps and explore practical ways to support East Sepik’s health system.

Large group in garlands and colorful clothes poses outdoors before a palm-leaf shelter, some waving, under a cloudy sky.

Photo caption: Group photo of provincial health authorities, government agencies, communities, UN organizations and development partners to intensify primary health care, during one of the community visits. Photo credit: WHO Papua New Guinea.

The delegation’s engagements with community leaders and frontline health workers also reinforced the importance of listening to local experiences when identifying solutions. Understanding the barriers communities face is essential to ensuring that health services are accessible, responsive and sustainable.

Looking ahead

The mission concluded with a high-level debriefing involving, PHA Chief Executive Officer, PHA Board Chairman , Provincial Health Authority leadership and development partners to discuss observations, priorities and opportunities for follow-up action.

Findings from the facility visits and stakeholder discussions are intended to inform continued collaboration and efforts to strengthen primary health care and integrated health services across East Sepik Province.

The joint mission underscores a shared commitment to supporting Papua New Guinea’s Primary Health Care Intensification, and improving access to essential health services, particularly for communities that face challenges reaching care.

Through continued partnership with government, health workers, communities and development partners, WHO and its partners aim to support stronger, more connected health services that respond to the needs of the people of East Sepik Province and advance the goal of Health for All in Papua New Guinea.