Japan boosts polio fight with K18m grant
The Japanese Government has committed K18 million to Papua New Guinea’s national fight against the poliovirus.
The formalization of the grant took place on Tuesday during a signing ceremony for the exchange of notes between Health Minister Elias Kapavore and Japanese Ambassador Mochizuki Hisonobu.
The funding arrives at a critical juncture as the Ministry of Health prepares for a decisive third round of vaccinations.
Despite rigorous efforts last year, two rounds of vaccinations achieved an 80% coverage rate. However, the World Health Organization [WHO] maintains that a 95% immunization rate is necessary to ensure herd immunity for children aged 0 to 10.
"I want to make it very clear that the Ministry of Health will provide all necessary support to implement these activities on time and with the highest quality," Kapavore said. "We are committed to full cooperation at every level, from our National Department of Health to our provincial health authorities and our dedicated frontline workers."
The K18 million injection is earmarked for several high-priority technical areas including targeted campagins, high-risk focus and surveillance & laboratory.
A third vaccination round is scheduled to begin next month and run through April with much effort placed on Morobe, Enga, NCD, and Central provinces.
The health department will focus on strengthening the detection of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and establishing localized laboratory capacity for faster virus detection.
Ambassador Hisonobu reaffirmed Japan’s dedication to PNG’s long-term health security, reiterating that the project aims to strengthen routine immunization and ramp up surveillance beyond the immediate crisis.
The initiative is expected to provide the logistical backbone needed to reach the most remote communities in the four targeted high-risk provinces, where geography often hinders medical outreach.
The third round of vaccination is expected to be the final push needed to hit the 95% threshold and safeguard PNG’s future generations from the paralyzing effects of the virus.