Japan has committed 18 million kina (approximately US$4.2 million) to support Papua New Guinea’s efforts to strengthen its polio vaccination campaign and outbreak response. The funding comes as the country’s Health Ministry prepares to roll out a third round of immunisation aimed at curbing the spread of the virus and protecting vulnerable populations.
The upcoming vaccination drive is scheduled to begin next month and continue through April, focusing on high-risk provinces including Morobe, Enga, the National Capital District and Central Province. Previous intensive immunisation rounds were conducted last year, but health authorities were unable to achieve sufficient coverage due to limited vaccine supply and logistical challenges in reaching mountainous regions and remote island communities. The new funding is expected to provide critical logistical support to ensure vaccines and technical resources reach these hard-to-access areas.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under five, though older individuals can also be infected. While many cases show no symptoms, approximately one in 200 infections can result in irreversible paralysis. As of October, 64 positive detections had been reported across the country, with five children experiencing paralysis. The World Health Organization declared an outbreak in Papua New Guinea last May after two children were confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Earlier this month, Papua New Guinea’s Health Minister Elias Kapavore stated that no new positive samples had been confirmed since 13 October. The formalisation of Japan’s grant was marked by a signing ceremony between Minister Kapavore and Japanese Ambassador Mochizuki Hisonobu, underscoring the continued cooperation between the two countries in strengthening public health and disease surveillance efforts.
