The Level 5 Hospital of Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial (SJNM) Kundiawa Provincial Hospital of the Simbu PHA was graced with a visit by Chief Pediatrician Dr Cornellia Kilalang (SSMO, Child Health) and Chief Obstetrician, Gynecologist (O&G) Dr Arthur Elijah (SSMO, O&G), UNICEF Rep Paula Kongua, World Bank’s Impact Health Rep Steven Yangi and team from Monday 20th April to Friday 24th April 2026.

The week-long visit was titled Newborn Mentoring Program (NMP) and it was aimed at strengthening the hospital capacity to care for antental to laboring mothers and the newborn babies requiring special treatment when sick. The NMP is a UNICEF driven program ably supported by the Standards Division of the National Department of Health (NDOH) and Impact Health. The NMP involved assessments of the hospital facility and services that can acquire Neonatal ICU (NICU) Level 2 according to health standards NHSS 2021-2030. Some practical Interventions were practiced and recommended.

Simbu PHA is embarking on constructing a new Neonatal Unit and Laboring Unit in infrastructure terms to alleviate and resolve some pressing challenges of space and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in the existing maternal unit.

Simbu PHA Board and Management thank NDOH, UNICEF, Impact Health and partners through Dr Kilalang, Dr Elijah, young Paediatric Registrar Dr Yinil, Paula Kongua, Steven Yangi and Sr Koral from Port Moresby General Hospital.

While thanking them CEO Dr Ken Kassi mentioned such routine visits to uphold and maintain clinical health service standards is critical to upgrade services and infrastructures, to deliver high quality patient care and health services, in line with KRA 5.2 of the National Health Plan 2021-2030 and KPA 1.4.6 of the Simbu PHA’s Corporate Plan 2025-2027.