The National Volunteer Service (NVS) is exploring a strategic partnership with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (SHPHA) to recruit and deploy health workers to underserved communities across the province.

The proposed collaboration supports the National Executive Council (NEC) Decision 335 of 2025, which mandates the NVS to recruit 900 volunteers by the end of 2026 and an additional 2,900 by 2027.

NVS Director of Public Relations and Marketing Julie Raka said discussions are still in the early stages, but if formalised, the partnership would focus on identifying critical health service gaps in rural and remote areas of Southern Highlands and placing trained health workers where they are needed most.

She said the initiative reflects the Government's commitment to strengthening primary healthcare through community-based service delivery and expanding access to essential health services.

Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Joseph Birisi welcomed the proposal, describing it as a timely and strategic initiative that aligns with the province's healthcare priorities.

Dr Birisi said the partnership would also complement the nursing students who graduated recently from the Mendi School of Nursing, many of whom are now qualified health workers ready to serve in local communities.

He said health workers play a vital role in delivering basic healthcare, health education and disease prevention programs, particularly in remote areas where access to medical services remains limited.

"The deployment of trained health workers will significantly improve our ability to reach communities that face barriers to healthcare. They serve as an important link between rural communities and the formal health system," Dr Birisi said.

He added that providing health workers with the necessary training and support would strengthen maternal and child health services, improve immunisation coverage, and increase awareness of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Dr Birisi said integrating more health workers into provincial health programs would also help ease the pressure on hospitals and health facilities while encouraging communities to take greater ownership of their health and wellbeing.

He acknowledged that Papua New Guinea continues to face challenges including limited resources, workforce shortages and difficult geography, but said partnerships such as this demonstrate the value of innovative, community-focused solutions.

The National Volunteer Service will continue its consultation visits across the Highlands Region, with upcoming engagements planned in Hela and Western Highlands provinces.

The National Volunteer Service is a government agency under the Ministry of Defence responsible for recruiting, training and deploying volunteers to support service delivery in rural communities throughout Papua New Guinea.