A series of workshops and meetings for the ongoing Strengthening Health Workforce Education in Papua New Guinea program were held in Port Moresby, in June 2023. WHO CC UTS in partnership with Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) held 2 workshops with participants of the Continuing Professional Development, Health Professional Education, Fast Track Program, and attended meetings with PNG Nursing Council and the PNG Medical Board. The development of both the Diploma of General Nursing (DGN) and the Certificate for Community Health Worker (CHW) curriculums will conclude upon receiving accreditation and endorsement from the NDoH Health Curriculum Advisory Committee (HCAC) and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST).
The program, known as the Health Professional Education, Fast Track Program, seeks to support PNG's healthcare workforce in meeting current and future health needs through the review, development, and implementation of revised National Curriculum for the DGN and the CHW Programs.
During the month of June 2023, the project's representatives held workshops for CHW and Nursing Educators. The first week, held at the Catholic Emmaus Conference Centre, Don Bosco Technical Institute in Port Moresby, was dedicated to subject development. Educators from all 17 Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (SON) and 19 Community Health Worker Institutes (CHW) contributed to the development of subject outlines for first-year subjects, laying the foundation for a smooth implementation in 2024.
The second week focused on the Fast Track Program, targeting the Bachelor of Health Professional Education. Building on the outcomes of the previous week, educators reviewed areas of progress and challenges faced. Participants evaluated assessment outcomes, aligned learning objectives with assessment criteria, and explored research-backed teaching and learning practices. Emphasis was given to competency-based assessments and the integration of student-centered learning activities into lesson plans.
A notable highlight of the Fast Track Program was the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) workshop, addressing a pressing concern in PNG. Facilitated by colleagues from La Trobe University, Victoria and UNFPA the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, participants gained critical insights into recognizing and responding to GBV. The workshop equipped healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to address this crucial issue sensitively and effectively. Participants were introduced to a WHO assessment framework designed to assist health professionals in assessing and referring people who have experienced GBV. Called LIVES: Listen, Inquire, Validate (acknowledge), and Enhance safety and Support, participants observed a role play using the tool, of poor quality assessment followed by one that modelled ideal assessment practices.
NDoH senior staff reviewed the curricula’s alignment with the NDoH National Curriculum Development Standards for Health programs (2022) checklist before submission to the PNG Nursing Council and PNG Medical Board. The forthcoming workshop, scheduled for Ocotber, 2023 will continue the Fast Track Program and provide an opportunity for educators to share their change projects. Upon successful completion of this phase, the aim is for participants to be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the program when accredited by local university in 2024.