Indo-Pacific Health Alliance for Security

Spotlight: Papua New Guinea

Summer 2025

U.S. Navy heading to PNG for Pacific Partnership medical mission

The Pacific Partnership (PP) mission is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. One of the planned 2025 PP stops will be PNG where the medical component of the mission will include clinical support in areas such as dentistry and optometry, community health engagements, public health improvement strategies, and veterinary engagements. These efforts are designed to enhance capabilities and regional interoperability, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships throughout the Indo-Pacific.

April 2025

U.S. WRAIR-AFRMIS, ADF Biosurveillance partnership with PNG

The U.S. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Australian Defense Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute (ADFMIDI) are conducting a 10-year study in partnership with Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) and their families. This study (2019-2029) focuses on Biosurveillance of vector-borne diseases and drug-resistant bacteria, including malaria, around PNGDF bases. Each year, as part of exercise “No Sick Soljia”, this partnership carries out a focal screen-and-treat effort over a 6-week period at selected PNGDF bases. This initiative strengthens partnerships and fosters interoperability between US, Australia and PNG.

October 18, 2024

U.S. Air Force PACIFIC ANGEL – medical engagement with PNGDF

The U.S. Air Force, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) PACIFIC ANGEL held 26-30 August 2024 focused on enhancing disaster preparedness, medical capabilities, and regional cooperation among the U.S., PNG Defense Force (PNGDF), and partners from Australia and France. The exercise included key discussions on aeromedical evacuation (AE), public health, trauma care and austere medicine, and mental health support. AE SMEs from the USAF, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and French Armed Forces of the New Caledonia (FANC) conducted hands-on demonstrations with PNGDF personnel, focusing on patient movement, trauma care, and live flight operations using various aircraft. These efforts significantly improved PNGDF’s capacity to manage AE operations in disaster situations, fostering stronger interoperability.

April 11, 2024

U.S. Army surgical detachment works alongside PNG doctors

Members of the U.S. Army's 135th Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Detachment, 65th Medical Brigade deployed to Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN), enhancing trauma care. Working in a resource-constrained environment, the team collaborated with local medical staff to exchange expertise, build interoperability, and adapt to high-demand scenarios. This surgical rotation was facilitated by the Defense Cooperation Agreement which was signed in May 2023 and ratified in August 2023.

August 2023

U.S. Navy Biosurveillance collaboration with PNG

U.S. Navy Medical Research Unit - Indo Pacific (NAMRU-IP) in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea's National Department of Health and Central Public Health Laboratory launched a Biosurveillance project in August 2023, focusing on respiratory and febrile illness. The study spans Port Moresby General Hospital, six civilian clinics and two PNG Defense Force barracks clinics, identifying pathogens such as dengue, malaria, influenza and SARS-CoV-2. BioFire FilmArray PCR testing in Central Public Health Laboratory is a major milestone for PNG.

<<< back to IPhsa home