Bringing Women’s Health Care Closer to Home
19 October 2026
For many women in remote communities of Western Province, travelling to the provincial hospital in Daru for human papillomavirus (HPV) screening is difficult or simply not possible. During a recent outreach aboard the MV YWAM PNG, a collaboration between the Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) and YWAM Medical Ships - Australia & PNG (YWAM MS) brought screening closer to home utilising the mothership platform.
The collaboration grew from a partner meeting in February, when YWAM MS personnel connected with nurses and HPV screening advocates from Daru Hospital. Led by Sr Judy Kou, the Daru team was keen to extend the preventative care it provides to women who face barriers to reaching the hospital.
HPV screening is an important step in preventing cervical cancer. Persistent infection with certain types of HPV can lead to changes that may develop into cancer. Screening helps identify women who need further assessment or care, making follow-up possible before cancer develops.
Alongside screening, the team offered education sessions and answered questions about HPV, cervical cancer and treatment. Sr Judy helped women understand what screening involves and why follow-up matters.
With supplies on hand, 125 women received HPV testing, and more than 300 others received a consultation and visual assessment test. Women also received information on follow-up screening and referrals where needed. The strong response showed the value of making women’s health services available in communities where distance has long limited access. It was the initiative of the Daru nurses, supported through collaboration with YWAM Medical Ships, that brought these services to women’s doorsteps.
The outreach also gave the WPHA / YWAM MS team additional practical experience delivering this screening in remote settings, which can help inform future patrols and continued collaboration to improve access to women’s health services in remote areas of Papua New Guinea.
YWAM MS is proudly supported by the PNG National Government, the Australian Government through the PNGAus Partnership, PNG Sustainable Development Program, Western Provincial Health Authority, Kumul Minerals, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, Henry Schein, NCDC, Hiri Koiari Open Electorate, ExxonMobil PNG, PNG Ports Corporation, Ok Tedi Mining, Colgate-Palmolive, Sir Brian Bell Foundation, Ela Motors, Julian Zahara Memorial Fund, Mills Dental, Mitsubishi Electric, Days for Girls, Pro-Ma Systems, Rotarians Against Malaria, AVIS, Coutts Redington, Mun, Pacific Marine Group, Medical Dental Solutions, Dawson & Associates, Hu-Friedy, Trukai, Wison/Ryan/Grose, World Vision, PwC, Septodont, Mocom Australia, PVW Partners, GE Healthcare, Austal, and Pacific Towing.