CIMC commences quarterly health sector dialogue in line with PNG Reset@50
Health Sector Stakeholders at the CIMC sectoral Committee Dialogue held recently at the NDoH Conference Room in Waigani
Port Moresby, 04, March 2026 - In fulfilment of its mandate to foster participatory dialogue on multi-sectoral policy, the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) held its first quarter committee meeting of the year on February 25, 2026.
The meeting took place at the National Department of Health (NDoH) Conference Room in Waigani, Port Moresby.
The session focused on addressing critical challenges in policy development and translating those policies into tangible outcomes. Emphasizing 2026 as a "Year of Reset," the committee highlighted the importance of accountability, integrity in public service, and the social determinants of health, which account for an estimated 70 percent of health issues.
During the meeting, stakeholders from the National Statistical Office (NSO) and National Department of Health (NDoH) revealed several alarming trends regarding population growth and disease burden:
Population and Census Data (2024)
· Total Population: Increased from 2.5 million in 1975 to 10.2 million in 2024.
· Demographics: 4.2 million (nearly 41 percent of the population) are children under the age of 13.
· National Growth Rate: 2.6 percent per (224,000) year.
· Urban Growth: The National Capital District (NCD) has the highest growth rate at 5.7 percent annually, followed by Morobe Province at 3.1 percent (at what rate?)
Given these alarming rates, stakeholders stressed on the critical need to have population management measures in place through investments in family planning programs and mass awareness campaigns.
Disease Burden (TB and HIV/AIDS)
· Tuberculosis (TB): 226,712 confirmed cases between 2020 and 2024.
· TB Treatment Gap: Only 82 percent of confirmed patients are currently on treatment.
· Daily TB Impact: 126 new infections and 25 deaths occur every day.
· HIV/AIDS: 30 new infections daily, with 11,000 new cases recorded in 2025.
· Immunization: Coverage remains significantly below the national target of 95 percent.
Dr. Margaret Karl, from the National TB Program, emphasized the need for a collaborative effort in the TB/HIV response, noting that the daily toll of 126 new TB infections and 30 new HIV cases is deeply concerning.
To ensure these resources are used effectively, the committee made the following recommendations:
· Population-Based Funding: Adjust government funding allocations based on verified 2024 Census data to ensure fair distribution.
· TB/HIV Summit: Host a high-level summit in June 2026 to secure political and domestic financial commitments.
· Inter-Agency Coordination: Improve research and data sharing between the NSO, NDoH, and development partners.
· Community Engagement: Strengthen partnerships with key partners (local health authorities, Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs (DPLGA), NGOs or churches and private sector) to implement health strategies at the grassroots level.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Secretary for Health, Mr. Ken Wai, on behalf of Secretary Mr. Pascoe Kase. Mr. Wai urged all stakeholders to collaborate under the 2026 theme: "Reframing Our Health Approach = Healthy Community and Healthy Mindset." He emphasized that early diagnosis and community responsibility are essential to reducing the long-term economic strain caused by the current disease burden.
The meeting was attended and informed by key representatives from NDoH, NGOs, Development Partners, Key Government Agencies, Research Institutions and Private Sector Representatives.
The CIMC was established through an NEC Decision No. (46/98) and is mandated to facilitate broad-based public policy dialogue concerning national development.
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About CIMC:
The Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) is an independent body established by the National Executive Council (NEC) to facilitate civil society and private sector participation in the policy-making process of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
