QUALITY OF HEALTH-SERVICES IN PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA - WHAT DO WE KNOW

The discussion of quality issues in Papua New Guinea requires that att ention be focused on what is known about the actual quality of the hea lth care provided in Papua New Guinea. Since 1987 there has been incre asing evidence that there are serious deficits in the quality of care in rural areas and that there are similar problems in the country's ho spitals. This paper summarizes what is known and discusses the implica tions for the development of quality assurance activities in Papua New Guinea. The paper concludes that many of the deficiencies observed ar e amenable to improvement through simple and inexpensive means and tha t with sustained commitment, improvements are achievable.