Digital Health Transformation in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Papua New Guinea’s healthcare system faces persistent challenges, including limited infrastructure, fragmented service delivery, and a predominantly paper-based system that hinders timely, effective care. This thesis paper investigates how digital technologies can transform healthcare delivery at Angau Provincial Hospital, one of PNG’s key referral and teaching hospitals. Positioned within the broader context of national health priorities and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 9, and 17), the research study evaluates the hospital’s readiness for digital health transformation and proposes phased, context-specific interventions to improve operational efficiency, patient safety, and healthcare accessibility. Using a qualitative case study methodology, supported by stakeholder analysis and comparative insights from international implementations, including Kenya’s mobile health platforms, India’s hospital information systems, and Port Moresby General Hospital’s early telehealth adoption, the research identifies practical pathways for integrating electronic health records (EHRs), digital inventory systems, and telemedicine at Angau. In addition, comparative international case studies from India, Kenya, Estonia, and Rwanda underscore the feasibility and benefits of digital health interventions in resource-constrained settings. It also outlines strategies for overcoming PNG-specific constraints such as poor internet connectivity, low digital literacy, and limited funding. The study finds that with targeted investment in infrastructure, capacity-building, and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders such as UNDP, WHO, and DFAT, Angau can become a national model for digital health transformation. The thesis paper concludes with a roadmap for implementation and highlights future research needs in digital infrastructure scaling, policy development, and workforce training. This research contributes to the growing discourse on digital equity and health system modernization in low-resource settings, offering Angau and PNG a clear vision for inclusive, technology-enabled healthcare.