Papua New Guinea is one of the least urbanised countries in the world. Just 13% of the population live in urban areas, and close to 40% of people have incomes below the poverty threshold.
With a population of over nine million, around eight million live in traditional indigenous communities scattered across diverse and remote terrain. It is home to over 800 distinct languages, reflecting the vast cultural diversity among its people.
Tribal conflict is a common issue, and travelling to access essential services can be both difficult and dangerous due to rugged geography and security concerns. Barriers to eye healthcare access include high costs, remote locations, and a lack of awareness of available services. Limited infrastructure and few urban centres mean that many rural communities have little or no access to health facilities.
The rate of blindness and low-vision in Papua New Guinea is the highest in the Pacific. A national survey carried out in 2017 found an estimated 5.6% of adults aged over 50 were blind, and two out of every three people with refractive error did not have the right glasses. The most common cause of blindness and visual impairment is still cataracts.
Due to low levels of education and literacy, and restricted communication networks, there’s a widespread lack of understanding about health problems and the benefits of health care and medical treatments. Many people don’t realise they have an eye problem or that they can get treatment.
Papua New Guinea should have at least 90 eye doctors, yet currently, there are only 15. We are committed to working with our partners to help meet the critical shortage. In 2007 we set up eye nurse training in partnership with Divine Word University, with a total of 120 graduates to date.
Since 2007 we’ve managed the Madang Eye Clinic at Madang Provincial Hospital in Madang Province. The clinic provides comprehensive eye care services and surgery. In 2022, an innovative solar system in a box was installed at the Madang Eye Clinic. This system provides reliable and renewable power so that critical eye surgery in Papua New Guinea can continue without worry about power interruptions. We also provide eye care services to rural populations through regular outreaches.
In 2024, the New Zealand Government announced $18.9 million in funding for the construction of a purpose-built eye care training and service centre, the PNG Centre for Eye Health. Located within the shared campus of Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) and the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, the PNG Centre for Eye Health will enable the provision of eye care services and the training of eye care workers including eye doctors, eye nurses, eye care clinicians and optometrists.
Currently in Papua New Guinea, there are:
2023 training highlights:
2023 eye care highlights:
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