PB2 Medical supplies reform in Papua New Guinea: some conceptual and historical lessons

Development Policy Centre Policy Brief No. 2

By Andrew McNee

May 2011

Reform of PNG’s medical supply system is both critically important and incredibly complex. PNG reformers will need to be committed and courageous for an extended period of time, as will their external supporters. There is a strong conceptual and practical case for donors to support this process through the direct provision of medical supplies. There will be pressures – both internal and external – to end external support prematurely. If conceptual and historical lessons are to be beneficial, this pressure is to be resisted.

McNee, A. 2011, ‘Medical supplies reform in Papua New Guinea: some conceptual and historical lessons’, Policy Brief No. 2, Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra.

Karen Downing

Karen Downing is Research Communications Coordinator at the Development Policy Centre.