By: Bing Mau | NBC Simbu | March 27^th, 2025

The National Department of Health, through the Child Nutrition Social Protection (CNSP)

Project, is making significant strides in bolstering the delivery of crucial nutrition services across Papua New Guinea. Representatives Wilson Karoke and Chris Handi have initiated the distribution of new vehicles to Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) in selected pilot provinces.

The CNSP Project is providing new vehicles to Provincial Health Authorities to improve their logistical capabilities for delivering nutrition services. Simbu PHA has already received their vehicle, with ENBPHA, Madang PHA, and Western PHA to follow shortly. The initiative will then extend to EHPHA, WHPHA, and three additional provinces. This effort aims to overcome transportation challenges and enhance the reach and effectiveness of nutrition interventions at the provincial level, ultimately contributing to better child nutrition outcomes nationwide.

Key Highlights:

• First Handover in Simbu: Simbu Provincial Health Authority (SiPHA) was the first recipient of a new vehicle, presented to key officials including the Board Chairman, board members, CEO, and Provincial Administrator. This will significantly improve Simbu PHA ability to deliver essential nutrition services.
• Pilot Province Expansion: East New Britain (ENBPHA), Madang (Madang PHA), and Western (Western PHA) are next, with their vehicles already shipped for imminent handover.
• Future Provincial Inclusion: The rollout will continue to Eastern Highlands (EHPHA), Western Highlands (WHPHA), and three more provinces yet to be named, broadening the project’s impact.
• Enhanced Logistics for Nutrition Services: The primary goal is to address transportation barriers, enabling healthcare workers to deliver nutrition services more effectively within their provinces.
• National Commitment: This initiative underscores the National Department of Health’s dedication to improving child nutrition outcomes through strengthened provincial health authority capacity.

Project Objective:

To improve the logistical support for Provincial Health Authorities, enabling more effective delivery of critical nutrition services under the CNSP project, leading to better outreach, monitoring, and overall impact.

Looking Ahead:

The National Department of Health is committed to ongoing collaboration with provincial partners to enhance child nutrition across Papua New Guinea. This vehicle rollout is a key step in strengthening the operational capacity of PHAs.