Projects

ANCP – Kickstarting antimicrobial resistance responses in PNG (KICK AMR)

Strengthening capacity to address AMR threats in major health facilities and the African Swine Fever Outbreak in Papua New Guinea.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the greatest global health security threats of our time. Countries such as Papua New Guinea (PNG) may be disproportionately impacted by AMR due to resource, capacity, governance and health system constraints. However, the magnitude of the problem remains poorly understood and feasible solutions have not been defined and implemented.

In response to this threat, PNG has developed a multisectoral National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR (2017-2020). The NAP officially launched in August 2019 as a collaborative effort by the National Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the Department of Environment and Conservation.

This is a three-year pilot project supported by the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Commencing in mid 2018, this project aims to build the capacity of key staff and strengthen hospital-based systems to respond to the threat of AMR. The project is directly aligned with the strategic objectives of the PNG NAP for AMR (2017-2020) and is centred around the three core AMR domains of microbiology, infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship.

PNG Food Security

The scope of work of this project was expanded in 2020 to provide support in response to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a new disease of pigs, which occurred simultaneous to the introduction of COVID-19. A focus is being made to strengthen PNG’s One Health capacity, in view of arresting the spread of ASF, and mitigating the combined negative impacts of ASF and COVID-19 on livelihoods and food security in affected communities. This includes supporting national animal health actors to develop tailored, effective risk communications and biosecurity guidance for smallholder pig farmers in Southern Highlands and Morobe Provinces.

IMSA is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Timeline

2018 – 2021

Collaborators

  • Alfred Health
  • DFAT
  • National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA) from the National Department of Health (NDOH), Papua New Guinea Government
  • Professor Mary-Lou Penrith
  • Kyeema Foundation

Funding

Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

Contact Details

For any general enquiries relating to this project, please contact:

Doctor Ben Coghlan

Leave of absence till Feb 2023

Telephone

+61392822111

Email

ben.coghlan@burnet.edu.au