Publications
Summary of publication
The objective of the Accelerated Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening Program (AIHSS) is to reduce rates of mortality and morbidity of children under five years by improving routine immunisation service delivery in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
AIHSS is a partnership between the Governments of PNG, Australia, and New Zealand, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. AIHSS is implemented by 11 Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) and the Bougainville Department of Health, supported by non-government organisations known as implementation support providers, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
The independent evaluation of AIHSS (2019-2023) found AIHSS has contributed to increased reach to underserved communities, improvements in data analysis and reporting and upskilling of health workers to plan and deliver immunisation activities. Between 2020 and 2022, all provinces supported by AIHSS increased or maintained their immunisation coverage rates, while rates in non-AIHSS provinces decreased. However, progress on health systems strengthening objectives around PHA governance, planning, financial management and supervision was less than expected.
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- Evaluation of Accelerated Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening Program [DOCX 2.4 MB]
- Evaluation of Accelerated Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening Program [PDF 3.2 MB]
DFAT Management Response
DFAT acknowledges the findings of the evaluation, which highlighted the progress that AIHSS has made, as well as areas for improvement.
Donor partners have agreed, together with PNG's National Department of Health and Department of National Planning and Monitoring, to extend AIHSS for a second phase, and to incorporate recommendations from this evaluation into the design of Phase 2.