A new report says transparency and accountability is needed to help Papua New Guinea get a better return for its health spending.
Photo: Ness Kerson/madNESS Photography for AusAID
The Asian Development Bank report looks at the complexity of healthcare, with 8.5 million people spread over a geographically difficult area.
ADB health specialist, Inez Mikkelsen-Lopez, said Papua New Guinea spends a considerable amount on health but it is not seeing better outcomes.
Ms Mikkelsen-Lopez said the report outlined ten recommendations to help reverse a downward trend.
"And they vary from recommendations that are within the health sector's mandate and within the power of the health sector. And others that are more across the government agencies or finance and treasury."