The Paediatric Society met in Port Moresby in June 2014 at the Annual Mid-Year Meeting. The National Child Health Plan 2009-2020 was revised and updated. Some of the key points of progress highlighted in the first 5 years of the Plan were
- Reductions in malaria
- Vaccines: Hib in 2008 and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (2014)
- Slowing of HIV epidemic, introduction of PCR for early infant diagnosis
- Increased training of paediatricians through the UPNG DCH and Master of Medicine program, and improved paediatrician coverage in provinces
- Better surveillance and outcome data at hospital level through the Paediatric Hospital Reporting program
- Introduction of zinc and better coverage of vitamin A
- Changes beyond the health sector
- Improved education, some provinces with free education
- Primary school enrolments up 300,000
It was recognised that there are still gaps
- Old conditions not solved
- Tuberculosis
- HIV
- Measles
- Pneumonia
- Severe malnutrition
- Dysentery, typhoid
- The “new morbidities”
- Developmental disability
- Long-term implications of chronic illness
- Adolescent health
- Cancer, heart disease
- Obesity
- Child mental health