PNG NATIONAL PANDEMIC CENTER TO CLOSE

By Vonu LIBITINO

The National Pandemic Control Center (NCC) will be closed this June 2025.

This as announced by Deputy Pandemic Controller Dr Daoni Esorom this morning during a media briefing this morning at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby.

This directive given by both the Deputy Controller and the NCC Controller, Commissioner of Police David Manning.

Dr Daoni says this directive is being done 6 months in advance, having wrapped up their formalities last year.

He says all reports have been successfully completed and submitted.

Before the closure of NCC, the pandemic controller David Manning has instructed Dr Daoni and the NCC team to undertake 4 specific actions.

These include;

1. Transition all health sector activities to the National Department of Health (NDoH), the Provincial Health Authority (PHA) & health partners.
2. Transfer of COVID-19 vaccination program to the NDoH.
3. Conduct the After-Action Review of the Pandemic.
4. Set up the PNG Center for Disease Control & Prevention (PNG CDC).

The PNG CDC us the body that will replace NCC, to effectively deal with and manage disease outbreaks in the country.