Strengthening child health capacity in Papua New Guinea
Status: Active
ReALiSE is working with partners in Papua New Guinea to strengthen child health through workforce development, improved health data and quality improvement.
Working with the Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea, the National Department of Health and the University of Papua New Guinea, the program supports paediatricians, trainees and nurses to build the skills and systems needed to deliver high-quality care for children.
Building capacity in child health
ReALiSE supports training and professional development for the paediatric workforce across Papua New Guinea.
This includes training in the WHO Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children, as well as research methods and epidemiology training through the University of Papua New Guinea.
ReALiSE also supports the annual Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea meeting, which brings together paediatricians from across the country to share knowledge and discuss priorities, policy, clinical guidelines, research and emerging child health issues.
Data for decision making
The Paediatric Hospital Reporting (PHR) System enables health facilities to record paediatric admissions, calculate mortality rates and monitor trends in disease burden and health outcomes over time.
By bringing together standardised data from hospitals across Papua New Guinea, the system provides an important picture of child health and helps identify areas of high mortality and opportunities to improve care.
The PHR System has expanded to capture information on chronic conditions, including cerebral palsy and developmental disability, as well as adolescent and maternal health. It is now used by over 20 provincial and district hospitals across Papua New Guinea.
ReALiSE supports a Paediatric Surveillance and Quality Improvement Officer to strengthen the use of the system. The role supports health facilities with training, software and implementation; works with key stakeholders; collates and validates data from participating facilities; and contributes to the annual Child Morbidity and Mortality Report.
Improving the quality of paediatric care
Data collected through the PHR System informs the National Department of Health, and by partner agencies. It also informs the Paediatric Quality Improvement Program, helping health services translate evidence into improvements in care.
The Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea and the National Department of Health also undertake quality-of-care assessments using a standardised national instrument. Led by paediatricians and senior nurses within participating hospitals, these assessments identify strengths and gaps in care and opportunities for improvement.
Twelve hospitals completed assessments in 2024–2026, generating important learnings for paediatric services.
Where we work
Activities are delivered across Papua New Guinea.
The WHO Hospital Care for Children course has been delivered in 2025-26 in the National Capital District and Madang, with further training in the National Capital District and Central Province.
Research methods training is delivered through the University of Papua New Guinea, while the annual Paediatric Society meeting brings together participants from across the country.
The Paediatric Hospital Reporting System is currently used by over 20 provincial and district hospitals nationally, creating a growing network of health services using data to understand and improve child health outcomes.