Defence personnel from Papua New Guinea and partner nations have worked together to deliver essential health services, increase force capability and strengthen community partnerships across Central Province.
From 20 April – 1 May 2026, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and partner forces, including Australia and New Zealand, with the support of provincial health services, conducted a Medical Civil Aid Program (MEDCAP) in Central Province.
The program delivered primary health engagement including health education, community liaison, and limited clinical services, focusing on communities with reduced access to routine healthcare.
The MEDCAP visited seven remote villages in Central Province to provide healthcare to the local communities and transported medical supplies to an additional two villages.
The MEDCAP was designed not only to support positive health outcomes, but also to develop interoperability between PNGDF and Australian Defence Force (ADF) through the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) and facilitate engagement with local leaders and communities.
The Central Province MEDCAP operation gave PNGDF members practical experience in trauma care, tropical diseases, vaccinations and maternal health education, supporting specialised first aid qualifications and strengthening force capability.
Australia is honoured to work side by side with PNGDF through the DCP to deliver health service to remote communities in PNG, while bolstering skills and qualifications within the PNGDF for increased capability for future exercises and operations.
Quote attributable to PNGDF Warrant Officer Jerry Aihi, Senior Instructor, Medical Wing:
“In future we hope to see more remote places that we have never seen. Then we will have the experience, and also our allied teams will have the experience, in Papua New Guinea so we can work together, side by side.”
Quote attributable to DCP Training Staff Officer, Major Campbell Thelander:
“This is an example of Australia and Papua New Guinea working together to deliver health support and health service into the community.”
“This is interoperability in action, building important links at the grass roots level and understanding the challenges, issues and environments that they work in. That exchange of cultural ideas is valuable when we come to work together later.”
ENDS
A female patient undergoes health screening by PNGDF and ADF members at during the MEDCAP at Upulima Health Centre, Tuesday 28 April 2026.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100