Abstract
Background: The Community Mine Continuation Agreement Middle (CMCA) and South Fly Health Program (the
Health Program) is a partnership for improving health service delivery in remote Papua New Guinea (PNG). The
Health Program is delivered by a private contractor working in partnership with existing health service providers to
improve service delivery using existing government systems, where possible, and aligns with national policies, plans and
strategies. A midline evaluation was conducted to determine changes in health service delivery since commencement of
the Health Program.
Methods: A mixed methods evaluation was undertaken mid-way through implementation of the Health Program,
including a pre/post analysis of health service delivery indicators, semi-structured interviews with health workers and
assessment of health facility equipment and infrastructure.
Results: Improvements in many of the long-term expected outcomes of the Health Program were observed when
compared to the pre-program period. The number of outpatient visits per person per year and number of outreach
clinics per 1000 children under 5 years increased by 15% and 189% respectively (P<.001). Increases in vaccination
coverage for infants aged <1 year were observed: 58 % for pentavalent 1st dose (P<.001) and 75% for 1st dose Sabin
(P<.001), 30% for 3rd dose pentavalent (P<.001) and 26% for measles vaccination (P<.001). Family planning coverage
remained at similar levels (increasing 5%, P=.095) and antenatal care coverage increased by 26% (P<.001). Supervised
deliveries coverage declined by 32% (P<.001), a continuation of the pre-Program trend. The proportion of facilities with
standard equipment items, transport and lighting increased. Health worker training, in particular obstetric training, was
most commonly cited by health workers as leading to improved services.
Conclusion: Following implementation, substantial improvements in health service delivery indicators were observed
in the Health Program area as compared with pre-program period and the stagnating or declining national performance.
This model could be considered for similar contexts where existing health service providers require external assistance
to provide basic health services to the community