K18m Japanese funding to boost immunisation campaign against poliovirus in PNG

In an effort to curb the spread of poliovirus in PNG, Japan has pledged K18 million to strengthen immunisation and surveillance activities across the country.

K18m Japanese funding to boost immunisation campaign against poliovirus in PNG/Photo supplied

The agreement was sealed in Port Moresby during an exchange of notes ceremony attended by Health Minister Elias Kapavore and Japanese Ambassador Mochizula Hisonobu on Monday.

Officials say the support aligns with global health recommendations calling for expanded vaccination coverage, particularly among children aged zero to 10 years.

Previous vaccination rounds conducted last year recorded coverage of just above 80 per cent, falling short of the 95 per cent target advised by the World Health Organization.

Minister Kapavore welcomed the funding, assuring that national and provincial health teams would work together to ensure the programme is delivered effectively.

“I want to make it very clear that the Ministry of Health will provide all necessary support to implement these activities on time and with highest quality,” he said.

Japan’s Ambassador Hisonobu said the assistance would help facilitate a third round of targeted vaccination in high-risk provinces and expand surveillance measures, adding that the project would also strengthen acute flaccid paralysis and environmental monitoring while establishing laboratory capacity for poliovirus detection in various provinces.