Human resources for health: lessons from the cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea

Authors

  • Alexander Rosewell World Health Organization, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Sibauk Bieb National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Geoff Clark World Health Organization, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Geoff Miller National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Raina MacIntyre School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Anthony Zwi School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2013.4.2.006

Abstract

Issue: Papua New Guinea is striving to achieve the minimum core requirements under the International Health Regulations in surveillance and outbreak response, and has experienced challenges in the availability and distribution of health professionals.

Context: Since mid-2009, a large cholera outbreak spread across lowland regions of the country and has been associated with more than 15 500 notifications at a case fatality ratio of 3.2%. The outbreak placed significant pressure on clinical and public health services.

Action: We describe some of the challenges to cholera preparedness and response in this human resource-limited setting, the strategies used to ensure effective cholera management and lessons learnt.

Outcome: Cholera task forces were useful to establish a clear system of leadership and accountability for cholera outbreak response and ensure efficiencies in each technical area. Cholera outbreak preparedness and response was strongest when human resource and health systems functioned well before the outbreak. Communication relied on coordination of existing networks and methods for empowering local leaders and villagers to modify behaviours of the population.

Discussion: In line with the national health emergencies plan, the successes of human resource strategies during the cholera outbreak should be built upon through emergency exercises, especially in non-affected provinces. Population needs for all public health professionals involved in health emergency preparedness and response should be mapped, and planning should be implemented to increase the numbers in relevant areas. Human resource planning should be integrated with health emergency planning. It is essential to maintain and strengthen the human resource capacities and experiences gained during the cholera outbreak to ensure a more effective response to the next health emergency.

Published

03-07-2013

How to Cite

1.
Rosewell A, Bieb S, Clark G, Miller G, MacIntyre R, Zwi A. Human resources for health: lessons from the cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2013 Jul. 3 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];4(3). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/100

Issue

Section

IHR (2005): preparedness, surveillance and response - Lessons from the Field

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