Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Western Province resupplied with 25,000 protective masks, TB testing agents


Staff of Daru General Hospital wearing the N95 masks.

The Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership has delivered 25,000 protective masks to the Western Province to be used by frontline health workers responding to COVID-19 and treating Tuberculosis (TB) patients.

The Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) received 15,000 N95 masks and 10,000 surgical masks.

WPHA Public Health Director Lucy Morris said N95 masks are critical for infection control and the new protective equipment is a major boost in the treatment of contagious diseases.

“These masks allow our brave team of doctors, nurses, cleaners and more – to be safe in their workplace,” she said.

“While the world is focused on COVID-19, the unprecedented pandemic has also meant health services and equipment supplies are stretched very thin.”

“In Daru, we have one of highest TB burden areas in the country and a multi-drug resistant TB epidemic – these are challenges we must take on every day, along with the new coronavirus.”

N95 masks filter 95 per cent of airborne particles, including disease carrying droplets – one of the modes of transmission for TB and coronaviruses.

Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp said PNG and Australia have a long history of supporting each other during crises.

“True partners are there for each other when times are tough,” he said.

“Papua New Guinea was there for Australia when we faced a summer of terrible bushfires and Australia is here to support PNG’s COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts.

The health sector is priority for our partnership and we will continue to work together on regional health security – during the current pandemic and beyond.”

In addition to the masks, Australia through the PNG-Australia Partnership has supported the resupply of biochemistry laboratory reagents to Daru General Hospital. The reagents are important for safe treatment of TB patients.

The initiatives are a part of broader Australian Government support to PNG’s COVID-19 response and preparedness efforts.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100