According to a media
statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) will maintain the effort of
supporting the government to deal with the high rate of maternal deaths in
Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Regional Director
for Western Pacific Region of WHO, Dr Takeshi Kasai, was on his first visit to
PNG on Wednesday, February 27 to meet with the government leaders and
representatives in discussing how WHO will continue with its work with the
government to address PNG’s health challenges.

He has met with the
polio response team in Port Moresby and on Friday, March 1, he travelled to one
of the most affected provinces, the Eastern Highlands, to support the polio
vaccination campaign.

Dr Kasai and his team
paid a visit to the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) to
discuss the work of PNGIMR and how PNGIMR operates.

The PNGIMR Director, Dr
William Pomat with all Head Units gave overviews of their units – and Dr Kasai
was impressed with the work of PNGIMR.

“Although we (WHO) do
not carry out the research, we always ask questions when in the field like why
or how come – that has motivated us to continue in supporting the work of IMR,”
said Dr Kasai.

He said that he was excited to come to PNGIMR and learn of the interesting works carried out by the IMR to help improve the health of this country through the National Department of Health (NDoH).