ESPHA has launched AIHSS2 to raise immunization coverage and strengthen health systems in East Sepik through 2027, with direct donor funding now recognized for the province.
East Sepik’s provincial health authority has started a new stretch of work aimed at protecting mothers and children through stronger immunization services and healthier health systems.
The East Sepik Provincial Health Authority (ESPHA) launched Phase 2 of its Accelerated Immunization and Health System Strengthening Program—AIHSS2—following the successful completion of Phase 1.. The program is designed to increase immunization coverage across the province while strengthening systems that support routine service delivery, from planning and oversight to day-to-day implementation.
Phase 2 will run until December 2027, with a total cost of K2.96 million.. ESPHA’s leadership framed the initiative as part of a longer effort to make health access more equitable, especially for communities that can be harder to reach.. Since Phase 1 concluded, ESPHA says immunization coverage has improved since 2023—an outcome that has also helped build confidence among international partners.
At the launch, Program Lead Dr. Theresa Kearns said ESPHA had made significant progress on immunization coverage since 2023. That improvement, she said, has left a strong impression on donors—an acknowledgment that matters for future support and for sustaining improvements beyond one funding cycle.
ESPHA Chairman Pastor Max Manimbi told staff that responsibility is not limited to program paperwork. Every effort, he said, must translate into tangible developments for people in each toea, turning policy and planning into visible results on the ground.
ESPHA CEO Matthew Kaluvia urged staff to comply with policies and deliver the program as planned. He linked compliance to maintaining trust with development partners, stressing that adherence is part of how progress stays credible and continues to attract support.
The program is backed by multiple partners, including Abt Associates through the PATH Program, the Australian Government via DFAT, the New Zealand Government via MFAT, and Gavi the Vaccine Alliance.. With several organizations involved, implementation will depend on consistent coordination—something ESPHA appears to be positioning as a core strength.
Beyond the program launch itself, ESPHA also marked another milestone: the authority is now recognized as a direct recipient of donor funding.. That shift was celebrated by PHA staff and representatives from development partners gathered at Wewak’s Village Inn, underscoring how governance and delivery capacity can determine how support flows.
A representative from the New Zealand Government, Meg Williams, conveyed a congratulatory message and apologies from New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Her Excellency Georgina Roberts.. Williams said ESPHA’s leadership and good governance qualify the health authority to receive donor funds directly.
Governor Allan Bird added that the level reached by ESPHA reflects the dedication of its staff. He also urged employees to fight corruption at their level and set new standards for the PHA, framing integrity as essential to protecting public services and maintaining donor confidence.
For communities, the practical difference between receiving indirect support and direct donor funding can be significant: it often changes how quickly resources reach service delivery and how consistently programs are monitored and managed.. In a province as geographically spread as East Sepik, improvements in immunization coverage rely not just on supplies, but on systems that can plan, track, and respond—especially when transport, staffing, and access challenges appear.
The timing of AIHSS2—building on gains from Phase 1 while running through the end of 2027—suggests ESPHA wants momentum to last.. If the authority maintains policy compliance and the governance standards it has been recognized for, Phase 2 could help translate better coverage into longer-term resilience, ensuring immunization efforts continue even as funding cycles change.