Papua New Guinea ; Health

This paper provides an overview of the literature regarding public-private partnerships (PPPs) by examining several case studies from around the world and documenting the lessons learned across different PPP models. In addition, it focuses on experience in the facilitation of two PPPs between the public and private sectors in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and discusses the potential benefits that may be delivered to PNG communities through pursuing further such PPPs for health.

In this review we reflect upon the papers within this focus issue of the Papua New Guinea Medical Journal on the theme of health system strengthening, and provide a summary of lessons learnt and ways forward from the lessons and experiences of the past. Priority areas have been identified for consideration by the health sector and its various players and stakeholders moving forward, particularly in the context of the next National Health Plan. The imperative need to focus on the basics is emphasized: to make sure that key health interventions are implemented; that health workers have requisite skills and are placed where services are needed; that there is an uncompromising focus on ensuring, by whatever means, that the essential logistical elements are there to enable the health worker to provide the interventions; that key messages are communicated to, and provide support for, communities to attend care and practise health-promoting behaviours; and that population coverage is increased. The need for a long-term, systematic approach to getting the basics in place is essential. In developing and implementing this approach, caution needs to be taken with regard to confusion between means and ends. It is important to maintain focus on the desired outcome--improved health of Papua New Guineans; and to use, but not be distracted by, the means for getting there--including the various health sector reforms being implemented. It is essential to identify and focus on ways in which the existing capacity within the system can be harnessed, and to ensure that the environment supports the effective and efficient use of existing capacities. The capacity of the health sector--and the careful, measured use of partnerships--to extend service delivery to underserved populations is discussed in broad terms.

This paper highlights the key changes to the health system over the past 20 years, including the impact of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments, the politicization of the system, the changing balance between government and development partners in financing the health system, and the development of a sector-wide approach in the Papua New Guinea health sector. It discusses reform efforts at bureaucratic and regulatory level to address these problems. Key health sector policy issues and lessons learned over the past two decades are highlighted. The paper concludes with an examination of what is needed to 'get back to basics' through mobilizing all health sector partners with the aim of getting the health system delivering improved health outcomes.

This commentary shows the exponential growth of digital health and the accompanying explosion of health data.It discusses three major shifts in the global health landscape.The first will be the move of the big tech companies into healthcare,the second will be the monetization of consumer data and the creation of health data marketplaces;and the third will be the growth of Asia as a leader in digital health.Big tech already has the advantage of a massive consumer base,data and analytics which enable them to understand consumers;and complementary technologies,like wearables,that will drive the consumerization of healthcare.This expansion can happen quickly and already is creating challenges for regulators as they try to catch up.The vast volumes of data and the ability of technology such as blockchain to enable data owners to monetize their data,will lead to the development of health data marketplaces,which can connect and monetize data for data owners and make it available for scientific discovery.The developments in self-sovereign identity,will make it possible for individuals to monetize their health data in the future.Finally,we see the emergence of Asia as a powerhouse for the digital health of the future,with vast populations,mobile technology and increasing adoption of wearable devices.Consumer focused health care driven by data will change the institutional models of the past.

Rapid advancements in technology and computing power,combined with the convergence of Blockchain,artificial intelligence,Internet of Things,extended reality,gamification,and decentralized finance,have led to recent growth in interest in the metaverse.Indeed today,there are more than 160 metaverse projects,and Citi estimates it could be a 13 trillion USD industry by 2030.While many have not yet grasped the relevance of the metaverse for industries,the opportunity to leverage the metaverse for health and wellness is substantial.In obesity and non-communicable disease(NCDs),there is potential to deploy the metaverse using gamification and incentives,as well as for education and care.This perspective article explores how the metaverse could be used to prevent and manage obesity and NCDs.

Significant technological trends are impacting health care,from consumerisation,datafication,circular economy,and platformization of services.Web 3.0,or the Internet of Value,enables direct peer-to-peer value exchange,opening up new business models that will impact health care.Among the many technologies that will also be part of the healthcare transformation is artificial intelligence,which shocked the world with the debut of ChatGPT in 2022.This opinion piece will explore how AI underpins the health transformation and,far from being an enemy of health,is the critical friend health care has been waiting for.