Geographically and historically, Papua New Guinea is relatively near to Indonesia. Health is one of the many areas of life where the two nations often collaborate. As a neighboring nation, Indonesia is undoubtedly concerned about Papua New Guinea health issues.
The Main Four Papua New Guinea Health Issues
In general, these are health issue that have been occurring in Papua New Guinea, such as:
1. Lack of Proper Health Knowledge
There is little knowledge about better health and hygiene practices in Papua New Guinea. Poor health outcomes are also coupled with isolated areas lacking health systems.
2. Malnutrition and High Mortality
Papua New Guinea has the highest newborn mortality and child malnutrition rates in the Asia-Pacific region. Approximately 48% of all children show signs of growth retardation.
As a result, malnutrition can cause poor health in pregnant and breastfeeding women, creating high maternal mortality.
3. Tuberculosis
The Pacific area has the most significant incidence of tuberculosis and an alarming rise in drug-resistant types of the illness.
4. Poor Sanitation
Papua New Guinea health issues are also caused by inadequate access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. A lack of understanding of proper hygiene practices also adds to the high disease percentage.
Healthcare Partnership Between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea’s government collaborates with other countries to resolve their issues; one of them is Indonesia. Here is an example of health-related collaboration between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
1. COVID-19 Indonesian Assistance for Papua New Guinea
The persistent COVID-19 outbreak has urged the Indonesian government to help Papua New Guinea with medical equipment.
The two countries must naturally collaborate to overcome the epidemic as friendly nations and countries with direct borders. The Indonesian government’s assistance is a manifestation of their concern for the situation in Papua New Guinea.
On December 9, the governments of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea signed the Implementation of the Humanitarian Grant Agreement for the Treatment of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Papua New Guinea utilized the financial support to acquire medical equipment, such as medical gloves, surgical masks, and first aid kits, that PNG needed.
2. Cooperation to Defeat the Polio Outbreak
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have a long history of collaborating to improve healthcare systems. A polio epidemic in Papua New Guinea has prompted Indonesia to take precautions against the illness.
A polio epidemic in Papua New Guinea has prompted Indonesia to take precautions against the illness.
The Ministries of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) delegations agreed to maintain and expand their collaboration in responding to the outbreak and monitoring the spread of polio in the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border region.
MOU Draft Between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
To promote health cooperation between Indonesia and PNG, the RI-PNG Health MOU Draft outlines 5 (five) Cooperation Areas, namely:
- Public health;
- Development and Empowerment of Health Human Resources;
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment;
- Disease control and prevention;
- Strengthening and developing health services.
Joint Action Points Regarding Polio
In addition, it strengthens cooperation, resource assistance, and coordination between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The following Joint Action Points have been effectively agreed upon regarding Polio:
- Mutual notification, cooperative risk assessment, investigation, and action for all cases and outbreaks of imported VPD
- Synchronize the polio supplement immunization efforts (SIAs) of the two nations in the border region.
- Establish a coordination framework for border management, such as a bilateral coordination group for polio prevention and control.
Papua New Guinea, just like every other nation, faces health problems. Hopefully, Papua New Guinea health issues may decrease by partnering with other countries like Indonesia.
