IPPF

International Planned Parenthood Federation

Since the Covid-19 pandemic was announced by WHO many countries have been affected globally, including
PNG.  The preventative measures to
control the spread of Covid-19 have had negative impact on health, education, economic and social issues in the
country, similar to that experienced globally.

In a pandemic even the most advanced health systems are prone to become overwhelmed with excessive
mortality. Therefore, in a fragile setting such as Papua New Guinea, the impact of COVID-19 can be catastrophic.
Serious disruption of health systems will impact access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Restrictions of
community movement and home confinement under heightened levels of stress, uncertainty and fear will inevitably
increase SGBV risks for women and girls, as well as marginalized and vulnerable populations. 

Over the past seven months, the Papua New Guinea Family Health Association (PNGFHA) has been working to
respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in PNG, through support from the SPRINT programme, focusing mitigating
the impact on mortality and morbidity due to SRH conditions.

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