Problem: Papua New Guinea has hosted several mass gatherings in recent years. Yet, there is limited data on the involvement of emergency medical teams in these events, let alone in other low- and middle-income countries. Prior to Pope Francis’s state visit in September 2024, the national emergency medical team (EMT) had not simulated its updated clinical patient flow systems. Context: During Pope Francis's visit, an estimated 70 000 attendees gathered at the national stadium. Using Arbon’s mass gathering model, the patient presentation rate was calculated to be 330 over 2 days, or 4.7 per 1000, posing a significant challenge to local health-care capacity. Action: The National Department of Health mobilized its EMT to lead clinical operations in collaboration with the National St. John Ambulance service. Planning spanned 6 weeks and involved provincial partners. Outcome: Over 2 days, 257 patients, or 3.7 per 1000, were managed using a hub-and-spoke model. First-aid stations operated by the St. John Ambulance service treated 200 patients for dehydration and headaches, while the Advanced Casualty Management Centre handled 57 cases of heat-related illnesses and chronic condition exacerbations. Discussion: The deployment of the EMT showcased its capability and credibility, setting a national milestone and providing a feasible model for mass-gathering preparedness and response in low- and middle-income countries in the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Region. This report highlights not only the importance of multipartner collaboration in such preparedness, providing baseline data for low-resource settings, but also the scalability of rehabilitation services and the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool as frameworks for future deployments.

Problem: Papua New Guinea (PNG) is situated in the Pacific Ocean and has experienced multiple natural disasters and disease outbreaks. However, PNG lacks the ability to rapidly and systematically deploy trained personnel to provide surge capacity in response to major national disasters. It was therefore decided to establish a national emergency medical team (EMT) in PNG. Context: PNG’s responses to the 2018 earthquake in the Highlands Region and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic required assistance from international EMTs. PNG began developing its own EMT in 2019, coinciding with the development of other Pacific EMTs. Action: PNG’s EMT project was initiated in 2019 with the creation of a technical working group. By 2021, a focal point had been identified, standard operating procedures had been drafted and training of EMT members had been completed. Pilot deployments of the national EMT members contributed to the COVID-19 response during 2021. Outcome: Four major challenges were identified during the early phase of PNG’s national EMT development: introducing the concept of EMTs in an EMT-naïve landscape; integrating the national EMT into existing PNG National Department of Health organizational structures; assembling adequate members at short notice to respond to disasters; and securing funding for deployment. Discussion: Solutions identified for these challenges included strengthening stakeholder involvement through engagement in the development process and participation in technical working groups and consultative group discussions, offering exposure to other Pacific-based EMTs, and creating incentive schemes for EMT members and their place of employment.