The second annual ICT Officers’ Workshop opens in Port Moresby, bringing together ICT Officers and Directors from all 22 Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Secure, Connected, Reliable.”
Hosted by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and supported by WHO and the World Bank, the five-day workshop builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event and responds directly to the priorities identified by ICT Officers across the country.
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The workshop focuses on turning the National Health ICT Policy 2024–2030 and the Digital Health Strategy 2025–2030 into practical, province-level action. These frameworks, launched in June, aim to address fragmentation and uneven progress in digital health, as highlighted by the 2023 Digital Health Maturity Assessment.
Throughout the week, participants engage in sessions that cover:
- Planning and Budgeting: Developing strategic ICT plans and costing priority projects.
- Cybersecurity and Business Continuity: Securing devices, recognizing social engineering attacks, and building continuity plans.
- Interoperability and Standards: Exploring FHIR standards and making legacy systems compliant.
- PHA Dashboard: Practicing backend operations and data analytics using the Impact Health dashboard.
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Directors overseeing ICT and digital health join the first two days of the workshop, reinforcing the importance of leadership and resource allocation. Panel discussions and group work encouraged cross-provincial learning, with participants sharing experiences from respective provinces.
The workshop includes participation of DICT, FHI-360, UNICEF, UNFPA, DFAT, and Church Health Services, showcasing a whole-of-sector commitment to digital transformation.
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Ms. Priya Mannava, WHO Technical Officer said “Digital transformation in health isn’t just about systems, it’s about people. This workshop empowers ICT Officers to lead change in their provinces, ensuring that every digital tool we deploy is secure, connected, and reliable. Together, we’re building a future where data drives decisions and every citizen benefits from smarter health services.”
With continued support from development partners and strong leadership from NDoH, the ICT Officers’ Workshop becomes a cornerstone of PNG’s digital health transformation.