IMAGE: PNG Secretary of Health, NDoH, Mr Pascoe Kase and Burnet's Dr Kudakwashe Chani ratify the MoU

Burnet Institute has reached a five-year agreement with Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) National Department of Health (NDoH) to collaborate and strengthen cooperation in health care and medical science.

A Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Port Moresby, provides for collaborations towards improving health evidence, services and outcomes across a broad range of fields, including:

• Implementation of the National Health Research Policy
• Policy and practice associated with improved disease control, including HIV, malaria and TB
• Policy and practice associated with improved family health, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, men’s health, adolescent health, and nutrition
• Policy and practice associated with laboratory, health information, and drug supply systems

Signatory to the MoU, PNG Secretary of Health, NDoH, Mr Pascoe Kase said: “Burnet has been a long-time partner in PNG. We are very happy to be signing this MoU today.”

Burnet Institute Country Director for PNG, Dr Kudakwashe Chani said the agreement is a step towards further developing Burnet’s relationship with the NDoH to support the people of Papua New Guinea.

“The MoU outlines that Burnet will continue to partner with NDoH providing technical support in key areas including health research, malaria, HIV, TB, MCH, nutrition, laboratory, health information and drug supply systems,” Dr Chani said.

The PNG NDoH is responsible for overarching leadership of the PNG health sector through developing and monitoring of overarching and issue-specific health policies and standards, and coordination of health partners.

It also supports the development of effective health systems in areas such as drug and medical supply procurement and distribution, workforce planning, infrastructure planning and health information systems.

Find out more about Burnet’s projects and research in Papua New Guinea.