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Papua New Guinea is embarking on a new phase of its malaria elimination journey.
The country’s malaria transmission pattern is highly heterogeneous and influenced by differences in altitude, climate, and environmental conditions. Provinces in the country’s lowlands and coastal areas, including New Ireland, Madang, Morobe, Milne Bay, Sandaun, East Sepik, West New Britain, East New Britain, and Oro, continue to record exceptionally high malaria prevalence which collectively account for 86% of the national malaria burden.
Over the years, Papua New Guinea’s progress toward malaria elimination has been uneven. Between 2006 and 2013, the country achieved a marked reduction in cases largely driven by the mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets and improved access to diagnostic tests and treatment. However, funding reductions, declining vector control effectiveness, depletion of commodities, and weakened community engagement have led to a reversal of hard-won gains, with impacts that continue to undermine the country’s progress toward achieving elimination.
Papua New Guinea in Numbers
As of 2024, Papua New Guinea accounted for 20.7% of the Asia Pacific region’s total indigenous case count. According to the World Malaria Report 2025, Papua New Guinea recorded an Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of 102.5 in 2024, making it one of only two countries in the Asia Pacific region – alongside Solomon Islands – to record an API above 100.
A snapshot of the country’s indigenous cases over the past decade illustrates the magnitude of the country’s struggle. Indigenous cases reached a decade-high of 910,747 cases in 2024, marking a 162.9% increase from 346,431 cases in 2015. While decline in cases were observed in 2017, 2021, and 2023, these reductions were not sustained and were followed by subsequent increases, highlighting persistent volatility in transmission. This volatility is not confined to only overall case numbers. The same pattern is evident in Papua New Guinea’s Plasmodium falciparum cases, increasing 165.3% over that same period, with five years of relative stability (2017-2021) followed by a sharp 40% increase in 2022 – the first of three consecutive years of increase in cases. In contrast, while P. vivax cases rose for five consecutive years between 2015-2020, a subsequent decline has been observed, with 2024 marking the second consecutive year of decreasing cases.
On the other hand, malaria mortality remains a significant concern. The country recorded 195 deaths in 2024 and while this marked a second consecutive year of decreasing mortality, Papua New Guinea continues to bear a disproportionate burden in the region. In 2024 alone, the country accounted for nearly 60% and 43% of all malaria mortality among EDEN countries and the Asia Pacific region respectively, with Indonesia the only other country in both groupings to record more than 100 deaths.
Renewed Push Towards Elimination
As malaria burden continues to rise in Papua New Guinea, the country has responded by pursuing bolder and more coordinated efforts.
1. Joint Action Plan with Indonesia
At the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination in Bali, Indonesia in 2025, the Governments of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea signed a landmark Joint Action Plan for malaria control and elimination. In the context of a challenging global funding landscape, the Joint Action Plan focuses on collaborative financing and resource mobilization, ensuring sustainable support for cross-border initiatives. Information sharing and capacity building initiatives will make existing efforts more data-driven, while a renewed focus on innovative approaches will enhance surveillance measures and responses.
With malaria eliminated from 407 of Indonesia’s 514 districts, Papua New Guinea’s capacity building efforts stand to benefit from the growing expertise of their geographic neighbour. In addition, Indonesia's Papua region – where 93% of Indonesia’s malaria burden lies – borders Papua New Guinea, making the Joint Action Plan crucial for stronger coordination between the two countries.
2. The Governors Ending Malaria Coalition
More recently, the Governors Ending Malaria (GEM) Coalition was officially launched following commitments made at the 8th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination in 2024, complementing the launch of the National Strategic Plan 2026-2030. The GEM Coalition aims to strengthen provincial commitment to malaria control and elimination across the country. Moving beyond a singular, national approach towards elimination, the GEM Coalition marks a shift towards a more localized and tailored approach to malaria elimination, with efforts led by provincial leadership.
By uniting governors from high-burden provinces, the GEM Coalition seeks to consolidate the unique strengths of each province to drive impactful interventions, effectively address the local challenges of malaria transmission, increase domestic resource mobilization, and ultimately enhance health outcomes for local communities.
3. Papua New Guinea’s National Strategic Plan 2026-2030
In addition, Papua New Guinea is shifting towards a decentralized approach to malaria elimination. The newly launched National Strategic Plan for Malaria 2026–2030, developed by the National Department of Health in collaboration with partners, outlines the country’s strategic priorities to accelerate progress in reducing malaria burden through evidence-based interventions, strengthened surveillance systems, improved case management, and targeted vector control.
The Plan aligns with global malaria strategies and reflects national programmatic lessons learned from previous implementation cycles and subnational prioritization. Its launch marks a critical step in reaffirming national commitment, mobilizing partners and resources, and coordinating collective action to achieve sustained malaria control and move progressively toward elimination in Papua New Guinea.
The Way Forward
Papua New Guinea has solidified commitments through several milestones over the past year – from Joint Action Plan with Indonesia in 2025, to the launch of the GEM Coalition and the launch of the National Strategic Plan for Malaria 2026-2030 in 2026. This progress has been underpinned by strong political will, including a commitment of PGK 16.7 million (approximately USD 3.8 million) from the country’s 2026 domestic budget for the procurement of malaria drugs and essential commodities, complemented by USD 12 million from the Global Fund in 2026. Furthermore, allocation under the Global Fund’s Grant Cycle 8 is estimated at USD 32 million for 2027-2029, further supporting the country’s capacity to accelerate progress towards elimination.
As Papua New Guinea embarks on the implementation of its latest National Strategic Plan, strategic investments, strengthened partnerships and renewed commitment will position the country for more effective and sustainable malaria control and elimination efforts in the years ahead. However, persistent funding gaps remain. Overcoming these challenges will require strengthening subnational action in line with priorities outlined in the latest National Strategic Plan, alongside securing sustained investments to protect recent gains and safeguard progress toward a malaria-free future.
