Strengthening Eye Health in PNG: A Collaborative Effort to Drive Progress

Early in March, Papua New Guinea reaffirmed its leadership in eye health by bringing together key stakeholders for two important events: the Workshop on the Implementation of the National Eye Health Strategic Plan (NEHSP) and the Prevention of Blindness (PBL) Committee Meeting. Held in Port Moresby, these gatherings provided an opportunity for government officials, eye health professionals, and international partners to assess progress, discuss challenges, and chart a path forward for improving eye care across the country.

The NEHSP Workshop was a key milestone in the implementation of PNG’s new National Eye Health Strategic Plan, which was developed to ensure that eye health remains a national priority and is integrated into broader health policies. Hosted by the National Department of Health (WHO) in collaboration with the Prevention of Blindness Committee and the World Health Organization, the workshop focused on translating strategic goals into concrete actions. Participants included representatives from the Medical Board, the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs), the Monitoring and Evaluation team from the National Department of Health and international and local NGOs.

The morning sessions, which included presentations from Government Representatives and WHO, provided an important foundation for the rest of the day. These discussions helped to enlighten many attendees and set the stage for the afternoon’s group work, during which stakeholders explored how best to implement the NEHSP. Over the course of the workshop, participants examined critical components of the health system, including operational planning, workforce development, medical supplies and procurement, and performance monitoring. What became clear throughout the workshop is that PNG has already made significant strides in advancing eye health. These include the integration of eye care into the National Health Plan (2021–2030), the introduction of a mandatory Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR) indicator in the national Monitoring and Evaluation Strategic Plan, and investment in the new PNG Centre for Eye Health in Port Moresby.

Over the course of the discussions, participants examined critical components of the health system, including operational planning, workforce development, medical supplies and procurement, and performance monitoring. What became clear throughout the workshop is that PNG has already made significant strides in advancing eye health. These include the integration of eye care into the National Health Plan (2021-2030), the introduction of a mandatory Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR) indicator in the national Monitoring and Evaluation Strategic Plan, and investment in the new PNG Centre for Eye Health in Port Moresby.

In parallel, the Prevention of Blindness (PBL) Committee Meeting brought together national and international Committee Members to review PNG’s progress in tackling preventable blindness and visual impairment. Under the leadership of Dr Jambi Garap and with coordination from Mr Ben Zuvani, the committee examined key priorities and the country’s ongoing efforts to achieve formal certification for trachoma elimination. The generous support of PNG Eye Care and The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ contributed to making this event possible.

Beyond the national agenda, these discussions also touched on PNG’s role in the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health, a landmark international event aimed at accelerating global progress toward universal eye health.

PNG has the opportunity to take on a leadership role in global advocacy, with one major development being its upcoming co-hosting of a side event at the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva. This invitation followed a recent meeting between the Honourable Elias Kapavore, PNG’s Minister for Health, and representatives from the IAPB, where the importance of elevating eye health on the global stage was discussed. In addition to this opportunity, PNG can further its leadership by incorporating eye health into its next Voluntary National Review for the Sustainable Development Goals and by playing an active role in regional initiatives such as the development of the new WHO Western Pacific Regional Office’s Sensory Function Regional Action Plan.

The momentum from these discussions must now translate into action. As stakeholders move forward with implementing the NEHSP, strengthening national policies, and engaging in global advocacy, there is a real opportunity to create lasting change. The commitment shown at these meetings is a testament to PNG’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind in the effort to achieve universal eye health.